By Mark F. Gray
AFRO Staff Writer
mgray@afro.com
Kevin Durant, the DMV’s contemporary basketball legend, tested positive for the COVID-19 virus after returning from a trip to San Francisco with his new team the Brooklyn Nets. Durant, who remains sidelined after rupturing his achilles tendon in the 2019 NBA Finals while playing for the Golden State Warriors, was one of four Nets players who reportedly have contracted the virus.
“Everyone be careful, take care of yourself and quarantine,” the Prince George’s County native said to the sports website The Athletic. He said that he is feeling fine and not showing any symptoms. “We’re going to get through this.”
Prince George’s County native Kevin Durant was one of four Brooklyn Nets who tested positive for coronavirus. (Courtesy Photo)
According to several reports, Brooklyn hired an outside firm to handle its testing, but the organization hasn’t released the names of the players. However, the Nets said in a statement on Tuesday that only one of the four players showed symptoms of the virus. but they are being kept isolated while receiving medical attention from team physicians. Four players represent one third of the team’s roster who have been infected.
“All players and members of the Nets travel party are being asked to remain isolated, closely monitor their health and maintain constant communication with team medical staff,” the Nets said in a statement. “The health of our players and staff is of the highest priority to the organization and the team is doing everything within its power to ensure that those affected receive the best care possible.”
Durant, 31, signed a four-year contract that could pay him $164 million in Brooklyn after spending the last three years with the Warriors. While playing in the Bay Area he led Golden State to consecutive championships and they seemed poised for a third until he was lost for good in game six of the 2019 championship series. The 10-time NBA all star led them on two title runs and was named NBA Finals MVP twice. He hasn’t played this season while rehabilitating an Achilles tendon injury suffered during their loss to the Toronto Raptors.
The Nets organization immediately began notifying anyone who had been in contact with the players, including their recent opponents, and is now working closely with state and local health authorities on reporting any diagnosed cases.
Prior to Tuesday, there had been only three confirmed cases of NBA players who had tested positive. After fellow all stars Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz contracted COVID-19, the league immediately postponed the remainder of its schedule prior to Christian Wood of the Detroit Pistons being diagnosed. However, after the four Brooklyn players were diagnosed, the number rose to seven. The figure is expected to rise higher as more teams start their own private testing
The final team the Nets faced before the season was forced into its hiatus were the Los Angeles Lakers ,who are scheduled to be tested Wednesday. Lakers officials announced via Twitter after testing the team will be imposing a 14-day self quarantine.
TMZ.com reported that Durant was seen afterward hanging with recording artist Drake at the Nice Guy nightclub in West Hollywood following Brooklyn’s victory March 11.