Kevin Durant Pays It Forward, Sends Kids from His Hometown to College

Despite being known as one of the best basketball players in the NBA right now, Kevin Durant made sure not to forget where he came from by giving back to the children of his community. The Golden State Warrior is now being credited for putting dozens of local teenagers to go to college.

Many people are cheering Kevin Durant to recover successfully from his injury in Game 5 of this year's NBA Finals because of his skills and talent, but there's a special group of people that are cheering him on not just because of that, but also his heart, generosity, and kindness.

The wonder of College Track

Dozens of students and their families are cheering on the star player for what he's done for their community. Just last year, Durant pledged ten million dollars per year for ten years to a program called "College Track" to Prince George's County, his hometown. As of last year, 68 students were selected for the program are completing their first year at Suitland High School.

Aside from the scholarships he's pledged, "College Track" also opened "The Durant Center," where students can have after-school tutoring and instruction. They not only learn what's in the curriculum but are also taught important life skills such as time management and stress management.

The program allows students from low-income areas to have a chance at education. Not only does it get them through high school, but to students who excel and meet the goals set by College Track, they will also be granted financial help to complete college.

A Life-Changing Opportunity

College Track commits to each student for up to ten years to get them through high school and college.

“For [someone] like Kevin Durant to say, ‘this is where I came from. How can I give back, how can I make a difference?’ For families like us who are still trying to find our way, it’s everything to us. It’s life-changing.”

According to Berniece Reese, whose son Donovan is part of the life-changing program, Kevin Durant is such a blessing to them.

Although he's always pegged as a villain in his basketball due to his past basketball choices and his skills that are often put in a bad light by the media, Kevin Durant is actually a kind-hearted guy who just wants to help other people.

An Emotional Kevin Durant

In fact, his heart was put to the test in his team's previous game, as he fought through an injury to help his team win. However, this ended up badly for him, when he ultimately injured himself.

Recently, the often no-emotions basketball player expressed his grief on social media, after the loss of his friend, Cliff Dixon, whom he said was like a brother to him.

Dixon just turned 32 when he was shot while celebrating his birthday at the SL Lounge in Atlanta. Durant and his teammate Quinn Cook missed practice with the Golden State Warriors to attend their friend's funeral in Washington D.C.

The NBA star did not expound on his relationship with Dixon, hoping to keep their priceless memories as something between them.

"Keep watching over us champ. Forever in our hearts. Clifford Lewis Dixon. We love you."