Kevin Durant sheds tears in Netflix documentary “Court of Gold”.Photo:
Netflix/Youtube
Durant wiped away tears as he reflected on how basketball saved his life
Director Jake Rogal wasn’t expecting NBA superstar Kevin Durant to cry during his interview about the Paris Olympics.
When Durant, 36, sat down with Rogal for Netflix’s new documentary Court of Gold following Team USA’s gold medal finish at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, the basketball great gave one of his most emotional interviews ever.
“I was shocked,” Rogal tells PEOPLE of Durant’s vulnerability. “I didn’t expect him to be as emotional as he was, especially given how little time we’d spent together, but when you hit on something that really matters to somebody and it’s the right environment, anything can happen.”
Through tears, Durant — a beloved NBA star whose reputation borders more on nonchalant than emotional — recalled on the moment when he looked up and saw, “27,000 people from all of walks of life” in the crowd, “coming together for basketball,” and reflected on how the game of basketball “saved” his life.
“I asked him a question about Twitter, not expecting that reaction,” Rogal tells PEOPLE, poking fun at how longtime fans of Durant’s may not be surprised that the Suns star’s favorite social media app sparked such an emotional reaction from him.
“He took it where he wanted it to go, and I just sat back and let him know he was in a safe space to be emotional and that this emotion is a good thing and more people should show that,” Rogal continues.
The director says he’s “very grateful” to Durant for opening up on camera for the documentary. “It was important to get that out there because people need to see this side of famous people. Honestly, it’s important to humanize these people in a real way,” says Rogal.
Kevin Durant of United States celebrates after his team’s victory during the Men’s Gold Medal game between France and United States on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Christina Pahnke – sampics/Getty
In his emotional interview, Durant, who grew up just outside of Washington, D.C. in Maryland, shared that he comes from a neighborhood “where people don’t even talk to each other.”
“So much hate in the world too,” Durant reflected as he wiped away tears.
“People get to start laughing and joking before a game of ball, it’s cool to me, so it gets me emotional. People travel so long to come see their favorite player in the Olympics. They spend their money, they bring their whole family. It’s just dope to me.”
Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant of Team United States at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Gregory Shamus/Getty
Rogal says Durant’s love of the game is something people “can relate to” when they watch the six-part docuseries. “It’s hard to find a project that has the potential to be positive, frankly speaking. So I think the theme is just united on a global front is a big thing. And then I also think the passion that these guys have for their countries, you almost forget this day and age that people are patriotic.”
All six episodes of Court of Gold are now streaming on Netflix.
