NBA superstar Kevin Durant slams the basketball world with his enthusiastic support for Cam Ward, one of the nation’s top high school recruits, after the Maryland native committed to Michigan State. Ward, a 6-foot-7 forward from Largo High School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, shocked the basketball community with his decision on Tuesday to join the Spartans and play under legendary coach Tom Izzo.
Ward, ranked as the 50th-best high school player in the country according to 247Sports, had multiple offers from elite programs. Schools like Kansas State, Virginia, and his home state’s Maryland Terrapins were all vying for his talents. However, Ward decided to follow a path that would bring him under the mentorship of Izzo, who has been known to develop NBA-level talent throughout his 30-year career at Michigan State.
Kevin Durant’s Support for Cam Ward
Durant, despite having played his college ball at the University of Texas, has long been an admirer of Michigan State’s basketball legacy. His ties to Ward, who grew up in the same Prince George’s County (PG County) area as Durant, only deepened his interest. The two even played under the same AAU banner—Team Durant, a prominent youth program backed by Durant himself.
After Ward’s commitment was announced, Durant took to social media, where Kevin Durant slams the basketball world with his enthusiasm, saying, “Yessir @k1llacam … Spartans got them a pg county dog!! Let’s go!!” This shout-out reflects Durant’s pride in seeing a fellow PG County native make a significant career move and align with one of the most storied programs in college basketball.
Phoenix Suns player Kevin Durant’s involvement in Ward’s journey isn’t just about showing love for a hometown kid. It’s also an acknowledgment of PG County’s reputation as a hotbed of basketball talent. Over the years, players like Durant, Michael Beasley, and Victor Oladipo have emerged from the region, and Ward seems poised to follow in their footsteps.
Ward Chooses Tom Izzo and the Spartans
Ward’s decision to join Michigan State over other top programs speaks volumes about his desire to be part of a championship-caliber team. With Izzo at the helm, Ward is joining a program known for its relentless pursuit of success. Izzo has guided the Spartans to eight Final Four appearances and one national championship in 2000.
In an interview with On3, Ward said, “He’s just such a legendary guy. Everyone respects him, and I’d be a fool not to go play for Coach Izzo.” This commitment signals that Ward is looking to maximize his potential in a program that has produced numerous NBA stars and consistently contends for national titles.
The lure of playing under a coach like Izzo, who has a proven track record of player development, was ultimately too strong for Ward to resist. Schools like Alabama, Florida State, Marquette, and Kansas State all tried to bring the forward into their ranks, but Michigan State’s long-standing success and Izzo’s leadership were the deciding factors.
Kevin Durant’s Experience at Michigan State’s Breslin Center
Coincidentally, Durant’s excitement for Ward’s decision comes just weeks after he experienced Michigan State’s famed Breslin Center firsthand. On October 8, the Phoenix Suns, Durant’s current team, played an exhibition game against the Detroit Pistons at the venue. It was Durant’s first visit to the Breslin Center, and he praised the electric atmosphere.
“It was amazing. Always good coming back, playing in a college atmosphere, college town … My first time in East Lansing, so it was good we came up here and left a good impression,” Durant said after the game, per the Arizona Republic.
Durant, who previously faced Michigan State while playing for Texas, seemed impressed by the energy of the Spartans’ home court, a fitting reflection of the program’s culture of intensity and passion. The connection between Durant’s experience at Michigan State and Ward’s decision to join the program feels like a passing of the torch, as the young recruit steps into a future of high expectations.
Kevin Durant slams the basketball world not only through his praise for Cam Ward but also by underscoring the importance of grassroots basketball programs like Team Durant in shaping the future of the sport. Durant’s influence in the basketball world goes beyond the NBA—his presence in AAU basketball and his willingness to mentor young players show his commitment to nurturing talent from his hometown.
Durant’s endorsement of Ward is not just a casual gesture. It highlights how connected today’s NBA stars are to the next generation of players. His involvement with youth basketball programs ensures that talents like Ward have the opportunity to flourish. Durant’s public excitement for Ward’s commitment suggests that he takes pride in seeing homegrown talent achieve great things.
Additionally, Ward’s decision to join Michigan State may signal a trend of top recruits opting for programs that prioritize player development over immediate fame. Durant’s public backing of this decision reinforces the idea that long-term success is built on strong foundations, something Izzo has cultivated over decades.
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