Oklahoma City Thunder all-Star Kevin Durant has always been vocal about how important his mother was in his life, both personally and professionally. In a recent interview with Necole Bitchie, KD’s mom, Wanda Pratt, known affectionately as “Mama Durant” talks about her son’s maturation, the NBA lifestyle and her feelings on his engagement to WNBA star Monica Wright.
And what was some advice you gave your sons on treating women?
So of course Kevin recently just got engaged! What was your reaction to his engagement?
Of course I loved it! I mean, this is my son and he’s getting ready to start leading a family. I mean, how wonderful that is. A mother loves that for her son. Of course, to see my son’s children…I was always told you can tell how well you raised your children by how they raise your grandchildren. So I’m looking for the evidence! [laughs] I don’t care what you all talk about, I’m looking for it in my grandchildren. Which I don’t have yet!With you getting married at a young age, were there any concerns regarding them rushing or being too young for marriage?
Well, no. Because I think we all are different. We all know [that] at that age, we think we know. So who am I to put a damper on who he says that he is? I mean, I’m your mom. Of course you take my advice but you say you’re in love and this is your woman- who am I to say that you’re not, you know? I just don’t have that authority. Even as his mother, I can’t be in that position. I just won’t assert my position as that person. I won’t do that.
When you have children, when you’re a mother and your children are adults like my children are, you have to trust that you instilled the right things. And I have to trust God that He is going to take care of them just as He took care of me in my youth. So that gives me peace. That really gives me peace.
My son loves [Monica]! I don’t have any daughters so my sons’ wives will be the daughters that I never had.
I have to- as a mother-in-law- I have to make my relationship with my daughter-in-law work. I have to. That’s my responsibility. And I want [Monica] to know that I feel like I have to. That’s my daughter.