TV News: Lifetime New Original Movie THE REAL MVP: The Wanda Pratt Story Set to Premiere May 7

UPDATED Wed 4/13/16

In a press release:

CELEBRATE MOTHER’S DAY WITH THE REAL MVP: THE WANDA DURANT STORY, A LIFETIME ORIGINAL MOVIE BASED ON THE LIFE OF NBA SUPERSTAR KEVIN DURANT’S MOM, PREMIERING MAY 7 FROM EXECUTIVE PRODUCER QUEEN LATIFAH

The Durant Family (Tony, Wanda, and Kevin)
Photo Credit: Priscilla Clarke

NEW YORK, NY (April 13, 2016) – Basketball great Kevin Durant of The Oklahoma City Thunder captured the hearts of the nation when he accepted the 2014 NBA Most Valuable Player Award with his emotional speech crediting all of his success to his mother, Wanda, naming her “the real MVP.” Durant’s moving story of a mother’s love, tenacity and sacrifice unfolds on Saturday, May 7 at 8pm ET/PT in The Real MVP: The Wanda Durant Story, just in time for Mother’s Day.

Executive produced by Academy Award nominee, Golden Globe, Grammy, SAG and Emmy Award winner Queen Latifah and her Flavor Unit team, the inspiring true story of The Real MVP begins with Wanda, a single mom of two by the time she was 21, working tirelessly to make ends meet and put a roof over the heads of her young sons. With the support of her mother and her best friend, Wanda focused all her energy on keeping her boys out of trouble and on the basketball court, selflessly putting aside her own dreams and desires to make sure their goals could be achieved. Her hard work paid off as her son Tony earned basketball scholarships and graduated from college while Kevin pursued his dream of playing in the NBA.

Cassandra Freeman as Wanda Durant

Cassandra Freeman (Inside Man, Single Ladies) stars as Wanda, Tracie Thoms (Cold Case, Rent) as her best friend and confidante, and Pauletta Washington (Wilma) portrays her mother Barbara. Daniel Bellomy and Nic Few star as the adult Kevin and Tony respectively.

The Real MVP: The Wanda Durant Story is produced by A+E Studios. Executive producers from Flavor Unit are Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere and Shelby Stone. Wanda Pratt also executive produces with Gina Ford and Brynee Baylor as co-executive producers. The film is directed by Nelson George (Life Support, A Ballerina’s Tale) and written by Yolonda Lawrence (Witches of East End) and Ligiah Villalobos (Ed).

In a press release:

Original Press Release – Feb 3, 2016

QUEEN LATIFAH AND THE FLAVOR UNIT TEAM JOIN LIFETIME
ON NEW ORIGINAL MOVIE, THE REAL MVP:THE WANDA PRATT STORY,
BASED ON THE LIFE OF NBA SUPERSTAR KEVIN DURANT’S MOTHER

Film from A+E Studios Is Currently in Production in Vancouver

New York, NY (February 3, 2016) — Lifetime continues its partnership with Academy Award nominated, Golden Globe, Grammy, SAG and Emmy Award winner Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere and their Flavor Unit team to bring the inspiring true story of Wanda Pratt, a single mom who struggled and sacrificed to raise her two sons Tony and Kevin Durant, in the Lifetime Original Movie The Real MVP: The Wanda Pratt Story (working title). Named 2014’s NBA Most Valuable Player, Kevin captured the hearts of the nation with a speech dedicated to Wanda for all she has done to get him there. Executive produced by Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere and Wanda Pratt, production on the two-hour film is currently underway in Vancouver. Set to premiere in celebration of Mother’s Day this year, The Real MVP: The Wanda Pratt Story is produced by A+E Studios.

Cassandra Freeman (Inside Man, Single Ladies) stars as Wanda, Tracie Thoms (Cold Case, Rent) as her best friend and confidante, and Pauletta Washington (Wilma) will portray her mother Barbara. The adult Kevin and Tony will be played by newcomers Daniel Bellomy and Nic Few.

“Latifah and I are so lucky to be able to collaborate with Wanda Pratt on her story. Wanda’s tale is both empowering and inspirational and we cannot wait for the Lifetime audience to see it,” said Shakim Compere.

The Real MVP is the inspiring true story of Wanda Pratt and her dedication to raise one of the greatest basketball players in the world. As a single mom of two by the time she was just 21, Wanda tirelessly worked to make ends meet and put a roof over the heads of her young sons. With the support of her mother Barbara and of her best friend, Wanda focused all her energy on keeping her boys out of trouble and on the basketball court, selflessly putting aside her own dreams and desires to make sure their goals could be achieved. Her hard work paid off as Tony earned basketball scholarships while Kevin headed to the NBA. When Kevin was named NBA’s Most Valuable Player, he dedicated his speech to Wanda, naming her “the real MVP” for all of her sacrifices that allowed him to pursue his dreams.

The Real MVP:The Wanda Pratt Story is produced by A+E Studios. Executive producers are Queen Latifah (Steel Magnolias, The Rap Game), Shakim Compere (Bessie), Shelby Stone (Bessie) and Wanda Pratt. Gina Ford and Brynee Baylor are Co-Executive Producers. The film is directed by Nelson George (Life Support, A Ballerina’s Tale) and written by Yolonda Lawrence (Witches of East End) and Ligiah Villalobos (Ed).