*This summer, Kevin Durant used his off-season time to set a Guinness World Record on the other side of the world.
Whether it’s for a family vacation or just for a relaxing getaway, people love going on trips. About 52% of worldwide survey respondents actually plan on vacationing at the beach at least once during the next year. In addition, 37% of families report that vacations make them happy, making it the activity that makes families the happiest.
Although these vacations can often be quite expensive, everyone from young couples just starting a family to wealthy celebrities need to get away for at least a few days out of each year. One world famous celebrity in particular, however, didn’t just vacation in Miami Beach or Los Angeles. Rather, he took a trip to India to help kids.
NBA All-Star Kevin Durant just agreed to a deal worth $53 million over two years with the Golden State Warriors. Instead of spending some of that hard-earned cash on a trip to the beach to swim some laps and burn some calories — an hour of vigorous swimming can burn up to 650 calories, even for athletes — Durant thought he could use his time off in a better way. Not only that, but his efforts have landed him another record-breaking moment.
According to The Guardian, Kevin Durant entered the Guinness Book of World Records in late July for leading the world’s largest basketball lesson.
Durant helped organize 3,459 children from the Reliance Foundation Junior NBA program in India. Durant conducted the session at the new basketball training center in the Delhi National Capital Region.
“Sharing my love of basketball with thousands of boys and girls across India was an unbelievable experience,” said Durant, the MVP of the 2017 NBA Finals. “It was an honor to coach these amazing kids and to be a part of this special day.”
USA Today reports that the eight-time All-Star also donated two entirely new basketball courts to the Ramjas School through his own charity foundation. Durant was quite excited about his “vacation” and was just as happy to meet all the kids participating in NBA Academy India.
“I’ve wanted to visit India for a long time,” Durant added. “I can’t wait to experience the country’s unique culture and share my knowledge with the kids there.”
Although Durant’s trip wasn’t filled with the traditional vacationing activities like swimming, relaxing at the beach, and shopping, he certainly was able to enjoy himself. Durant spent time sightseeing at historical monuments in India. He even visited one of the Seven Wonders of the World: the Taj Mahal.
ESPN states that the students from New Delhi’s Ramjas Public School have been waiting for Durant to visit since it was first announced back in January.
“It’s unbelievable,” said Tushar, a 10th grade student. “I can’t even imagine someone as big as him is coming to see us.”
“Wow!” added 11th-grader, Mihir Rastogi. “I can’t believe he actually came to our school.”
The children who participated in the record-breaking basketball practice session came from as far as Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru to join Durant in the event.
“Sports have the ability to unite people, and this record-setting NBA clinic led by Finals MVP Kevin Durant helped us connect young basketball players throughout the country in a single event,” said NBA Academy India managing director Yannick Colaco.
NBA Academy India opened in May, and the Reliance Foundation Junior NBA program has reached more than 6 million kids nationwide since it began in 2013.
“Kevin is coming off an historic season with the Golden State Warriors,” added Colaco. “Having one of the very best players in our league interact with the basketball playing youth of India will serve as great inspiration to the next generation of players here, especially the high-performing prospects at The NBA Academy India.”
After falling short in Oklahoma City in 2016, Durant made major news when he decided to make the switch to the team that beat him: the Golden State Warriors. Kevin Durant and the rest of the Golden State Warriors will soon enter the 2018 NBA season as defending champions.
Image Source: Keith Allison
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