Nike and Kevin Durant to Release New Sneaker Tribute for His Mother, ‘the Real MVP’

Oct 18, 2024

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One of the most heartwarming moments in sports history will be immortalized next year with the release of a new colorway of Kevin Durant’s fourth Nike signature sneaker.

Inspired by Durant’s speech after winning the 2013-14 NBA Most Valuable Player award, the upcoming Nike KD 4 “Real MVP” honors the NBA star’s mother, Wanda. At the end of his thank yous during the 2014 acceptance, Durant turned attention to his mother, remembering how hard she worked as a single mother of two children.

“We weren’t supposed to be here,” Durant told Wanda during the ‘14 speech. “You made us believe, you kept us off the street. You put clothes on our backs, food on the table. When you didn’t eat, you made sure we ate. You went to sleep hungry. You sacrificed for us. You the real MVP.”

Often referred to simply as the “you the real MVP” speech, the on-the-fly moment remains one of the game’s most touching monologues. And although Durant had moved on to wearing the Nike KD 6 during the ‘13-14 season, Wanda’s unofficial MVP award will be commemorated on the KD 4 during 2025.

The sneaker, which is done up in the colors of the Golden State Warriors and features metallic gold accents throughout, includes “you the real MVP” text printed on the left insole. Other unique features of this upcoming KD 4 include a basketball net-textured treatment on the toe box and a golden basketball badge on the tongue’s “KD” logo.

While this isn’t the first time Wanda has been referenced on a Nike KD sneaker — there’s also a “Wanda” KD 9 Elite and KD 16 — it’s one of the more on-the-nose callbacks to Durant’s ‘14 speech.

Other upcoming Nike KD 4s of note include the “Aunt Pearl” and “Christmas” colorways, which are due to be released in October and December, respectively.

The Nike KD 4 “Real MVP” is expected to be released during ‘25 at a retail price of $150.

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