Royce Young, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Durant, Nike team up to renovate OKC court

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Standing on a fresh gray blacktop, Kevin Durant dedicated his first outdoor court in North America on Monday at North Highland Elementary in Oklahoma City through his foundation's "Build It And They Will Ball" initiative.

"One day, I was reminiscing and I felt that being outdoors molded me into the person I am, the player I am and I wanted everyone feel the same thing I did," Durant said. "I've been in the NBA going on nine years, and I still get overwhelmed by things like this. I never dreamed about this as a kid, and I'm just excited to get the opportunity."

The court includes plenty of branding, with the "KD" and Nike logos all over as they combined to refurbish a court at the school that's only about a mile from the team's practice facility.

"This community is unbelievable, man," Durant said. "I can't say enough about how grateful they are and how supportive they are."

The courts are made with Nike Grind, a material made from recycled athletic shoes and Nike manufacturing scrap that provides cushioning and durability.

Durant and Nike renovated the first court over the summer during a trip to Berlin, Germany. But the one at North Highland is the first of what he hopes to be many in the United States, including next in his hometown of Washington, D.C.

"This is our second one and first one here in the States, and it was only right to do it here in Oklahoma City," Durant said.

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