Little Thunder Fan In Brooklyn Talks To News 9

Even with all the playoff attention, the Oklahoma City Thunder is taking time to reach out to even the littlest of fan including an elementary student halfway across the country.

From Brooklyn, New York a child writes "Kevin Durant is the best player in the world" and the first grader believes the Oklahoma City Thunder is the best team.

"I wrote ‘Dear Kevin Durant, No one is better'."  

If the sincerity of a 7 year old is not perfectly spelled out in his letter, then Antoine Fonville's smile will help deliver the message.

"I know about the Thunder from watching TV," said Antoine.

5/17/2012 Related Story: Little thunder Fan In Brooklyn Gets Big Surprise

Antoine lives in Brooklyn, New York, so one could say he goes the extra mile to be a fan of the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has never been to Oklahoma City, but began journaling about the team in his first grade class.

"I said that Kevin Durant is better than Derrick Rose," said Antoine.

What the little fan did not realize, his tutor with America Reads, Caitlin Clement, an NYU grad student and Oklahoma native would read the journal entry and encourage Antoine to send a letter to the Thunder. Clements explained to Antoine the Thunder are from her hometown. 

"I really just thought it would be a fun chance for him to have something extra to write about and look forward to and see what he would come up with," said Clement.

Antoine waited nearly a month for a reply and it was worth the wait.  Pete Winemiller, Senior Vice President of Guest Relations for the Oklahoma City Thunder says the team is committed to connecting with the fans.

"Our promise is if you reach out to the Thunder then we want to turn those relationships into friendships, if we can. And the best way to do that is one to one," said Winemiller.

The Thunder has several programs to promote student education in Oklahoma and nationwide. So the team not only replied to Antoine encouraging him to keep reading and writing, but the team also sent him a box of Thunder gear.

"They're the best team," Antoine was surprised by the response, but the surprise gives him something extra to cheer about, "Good Luck".