Alaska News

Kevin Durant donates $1 million to Oklahoma tornado relief

Oklahoma City isn't just the name on Kevin Durant's jersey anymore.

The NBA superstar with the Thunder is donating $1 million for hurricane relief after watching the destruction unfold in his adopted home, the Associated Press said.

"As the day went on and I saw the footage and the casualties and the houses being blown away, it was tough to see," Durant told the AP from Minneapolis, where he was watching friend Monica Wright of the WNBA.

"I call Oklahoma City my home. I go through Moore (Okla.) all the time. … We're going to come together as a city like we always do and we're going to bounce back," said the 24-year-old forward, who was born in Washington and attended University of Texas.

Durant's NBA team is also donating $1 million through its Thunder Cares Foundation.

"Our hearts go out to all those affected by the devastation that has occurred within our community this week," Thunder chairman Clay Bennett said on the team's website

"We are focusing Thunder resources to help where we can in the relief efforts and to support the organizations that are on the ground assisting those affected by this week's storms."

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That matches a combined $1 million donation from the NBA and its players' union.

The NBA team, league and union are directing donors to the Red Cross or Salvation Army.

A tornado with winds of 200 mph toppled houses and a school, killing at least 24 people, including eight children.

The twister injured more than 230, by conservative estimates.

If it wasn't for a late-round upset at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies, Durant and the Thunder would be playing in the NBA Western final against San Antonio.

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