Stephen Curry was born on March 14, 1988, in Akron, Ohio. From an early age, it was clear that Curry was gifted when it came to playing basketball. His father, Dell Curry, was an NBA player and Stephen would accompany his dad to games and practices. He would spend hours practicing his shot and ball-handling skills, trying to emulate the players he watched.
When Curry was young, his family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina where Dell finished his NBA career playing for the Hornets. This allowed Stephen to be immersed in basketball from a very early age. He played for his middle school and high school teams and excelled despite his small physical stature. His precise shooting ability and advanced ball-handling skills allowed him to dominate games.
Curry received scholarship offers from many colleges and ultimately decided to attend Davidson College. He made an immediate impact for the Wildcats, averaging over 20 points per game his freshman year. His sophomore year was when he truly burst onto the national scene as he led the NCAA in scoring at over 28 points per game. He led 10th-seeded Davidson on a Cinderella run to the Elite 8 in the 2008 NCAA Tournament. His electric style of play and clutch shooting propelled him to stardom.
After his junior season at Davidson, Curry declared for the 2009 NBA Draft. There were questions about how his slight frame would hold up in the NBA and he ended up being selected 7th overall by the Golden State Warriors. After dealing with some ankle injuries early in his career, Curry had his breakout season in 2013-2014 when he made his first All-Star game appearance. He set a record for most three-pointers made in a season with 272.
The next year, Curry took his game to an even higher level as he led the Warriors to their first championship in 40 years. He edged out LeBron James to claim the league's MVP award while averaging 24 points and 8 assists per game. His quick release and limitless shooting range made him nearly impossible to guard. He set a record for most three-pointers made in a season with 286.
Over the next 5 seasons, Curry established himself as one of the NBA's biggest superstars and the greatest shooter the game has ever seen. He helped lead the Warriors to the best regular season record of all time in 2016 with 73 wins. He claimed back-to-back MVP awards while shattering the three-point shooting record two more times. His ball handling and shooting ability changed the way basketball was played as more focus was put on the three-point shot.
In the 2018-2019 season, Curry returned to form after dealing with some injury issues the year before. He helped lead the Warriors to another NBA Finals appearance while averaging 27 points per game. However, the Warriors lost the championship in 6 games to the Toronto Raptors.
The next season, injuries to Curry and his All-Star teammates resulted in the Warriors having a losing record. But Curry was still able to showcase his talents, becoming the fastest player ever to reach 2500 career three-pointers made. He continued moving up the NBA's all-time scoring list as well.
In the 2021-2022 season, with a healthy roster surrounding him again, the 34-year-old Curry turned in one of the best seasons of his illustrious career. He claimed his first scoring title by averaging over 32 points per game with his lightning-quick release and limitless shooting range still very much intact. He broke Ray Allen's all-time three-point shooting record which had stood for over 10 years. Curry led the Warriors back to championship glory, claiming his 4th title and his first Finals MVP award along the way.
Going into his 14th NBA season in 2022-2023, Curry's incredible shooting prowess and ball-handling creativity have inspired a new generation of basketball players. The way he moves without the ball to free himself for three-point attempts has become standard for many perimeter players in the NBA. His clutch shot-making ability in the biggest moments has cemented his legacy as a basketball icon.
Off the court, Curry has been an ideal role model and ambassador for the sport. He is famously team-oriented, often deferring to teammates and taking blame when the team loses. His warm personality and strong Christian faith have made him one of the most beloved athletes on the planet.
Along with his wife Ayesha, he launched the Eat, Learn, Play Foundation in 2019 which fights for underprivileged children to have equal opportunities and access to nutrition, education and physical activity. The Currys have three young children: Riley, Ryan and Canon. They split time living in both the San Francisco Bay Area and North Carolina.
As Curry enters the late prime of his playing career, all eyes are on his pursuit of more championships and individual records. With four championships, two MVP awards, and essentially every important three-point shooting record already in hand, Curry is considered by most experts and fans to be the greatest shooter basketball has ever witnessed. His legacy as one the most influential, dynamic players is stamped in NBA history forever.
At just 34 years old, Curry still figures to have more electrifying moments and championships ahead to further cement himself as a Top 10 player of all time. With his skills, basketball IQ and work ethic, Curry will continue shattering defenses, expectations and notions of what was believed possible on a basketball court. Thanks for listening to Quiet Please. Remember to like and share wherever you get your podcasts. And Hey! History buffs, buckle up! Talking Time Machine isn't your dusty textbook lecture. It's where cutting-edge AI throws wild interview parties with history's iconic figures. In the Talking Time Machine podcast: History Gets a High-Tech Twist, Imagine: Napoleon Bonaparte talking French Politics with Louis the 14th! This podcast is futuristically insightful. Our AI host grills historical legends with questions based on real historical context, leading to surprising, thought-provoking, and often mind-blowing answers. Whether you're a history geek, a tech junkie, or just love a good interview, Talking Time Machine has something for you. Talking Time Machine: search, subscribe and (Listen Now!)