Golden State Warriors kingpin Kevin Durant says he will not visit US President Donald Trump at the White House to celebrate the team's 2017 championship.
Durant, who was honoured in his hometown of Seat Pleasant after leading the Warriors to the title, told ESPN he will not attend any possible ceremony with Trump.
"Nah, I won't do that," the 2017 finals MVP told ESPN. "I don't respect who's in office right now."
Durant and the Warriors are scheduled to visit the Washington Wizards on February 28. The Warriors have officially been invited by the Trump administration, as is customary every year with each winning team.
"I don't agree with what he agrees with, so my voice is going to be heard by not doing that," Durant told ESPN. "That's just me personally, but if I know my guys well enough, they'll all agree with me."
Durant's comments occurred as Trump is dealing with the fallout over what transpired in Charlottesville last Saturday, which has caused many sports figures to vent their frustrations.
Last Saturday, 32-year-old Heather Heyer was protesting against a white supremacist rally and was killed when a car ploughed into the crowd of protesters.
Durant said he thinks Trump is playing a role in the increased public visibility of white supremacists.
"He's definitely driving it," Durant told ESPN. "I feel ever since he's got into office, or since he ran for the presidency, our country has been so divided and it's not a coincidence."
Durant is not the only NBA star to speak out against Trump.
On Tuesday, Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James called out Trump on twitter by saying: "Hate has always existed in America. Yes we know that but Donald Trump just made it fashionable again! Statues has nothing to do with us now!
During the regular season, Golden State's Steve Kerr and San Antonio's Gregg Popovich were among the more vocal coaches in publicly criticising Trump.
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