In honor of his 28th birthday, we’re taking a closer look at the amazing and talented Stephen Curry, the reigning NBA MVP and a top contender for this year’s MVP award. Let’s dive into 28 fascinating facts about this basketball sensation.
1. Revealing his true identity, the renowned basketball player is actually named Wardell Stephen Curry II. During a candid Q&A session on Warriors World, Curry shared that he inherited his name from his father, and interestingly, despite his popular nicknames “Stephen” or “Steph,” his closest pals still affectionately address him by his given name.
2. Hailing from Akron, Ohio, the place of his birth can be attributed to this gifted athlete.
According to NBC Bay Area, it turns out that Curry and LeBron James not only share the same birthplace, but they were actually born in the same hospital. This interesting coincidence adds a unique connection between these two legendary basketball players.
Furthermore, Curry’s athletic talent seems to be a product of his family’s genes. Both of his parents have a background in sports, with his father Dell having an impressive career in the NBA, spanning 16 seasons and playing for multiple teams. On the other hand, his mother Sonya was a notable volleyball player during her college years. It’s safe to say that athleticism is definitely a defining characteristic in the Curry household.
Additionally, Curry’s sister Sydel also contributes to the family’s sporting legacy. She is currently pursuing her passion for volleyball at Elon University, further showcasing the athletic abilities that seem to run in their blood.
With such a strong sports background within the Curry family, it’s no surprise that Stephen Curry himself has become one of the most iconic and talented basketball players of his generation.
5. He possesses extraordinary talent in golf.
Aside from his remarkable performances on the basketball court, Curry has a deep passion for golf, as reported by Golf Digest. Last summer, he showcased his skills by achieving an impressive score of two-under par at Pebble Beach. Moreover, he had the privilege of playing a round of golf with President Obama at Martha’s Vineyard in a recent event.
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6. The NBA and NCAA both hold records for the most three-pointers in a season, and he holds both of them. According to NBA.com, during his sophomore season at Davidson, he made 162 three-pointers, making him the deadliest shooter in the NBA.
7. When it comes to charity work, he is incredibly active. NBA.com reports that he won the 2013-14 Kia Community Assist Award and has been heavily involved in the fight against malaria. As part of his efforts, he helped distribute 38,000 bed nets to families at the Nyarugusu refugee camp in Tanzania.
8. As a young child, he had the opportunity to star in a Burger King commercial, showcasing his talent even at a young age.
9. Even though he is a 28-year-old NBA MVP, he still has a unique agreement with his mother. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, his mother fines him $100 for each turnover he commits after his third in a game. So if he has four turnovers, he owes her $100, and the fines increase with the number of turnovers.
10. His passion for basketball started at a young age. According to a Q&A on the Warriors’ Facebook page, he began playing the sport when he was around five years old.
Twenty-three years later, little did anyone expect that he would be at the forefront of ushering in a new era.
11. If a movie were to be made about him, he would envision Denzel Washington as the perfect actor to portray him.
(Via the Q&A session on Warriors’ Facebook page)
One might find it hard to imagine the 61-year-old Denzel stepping into the shoes of Curry, but as they say, anything is possible, right?
12. The mere thought of snakes sends shivers down his spine.
(Via the Q&A session on Warriors’ Facebook page)
But hey, Steph, remember that snakes have a far bigger fear of you than you do of them.
13. The proud father has been blessed with two lovely daughters.
His elder daughter, Riley, became an overnight sensation when she stole the spotlight during his press conferences last season. The arrival of his second daughter, Ryan, in 2015 means that she has some impressive footsteps to follow.
14. The top thing that really annoys him is when people sneeze without covering their nose.
(from the Warriors’ Q&A on Facebook)
And coming in as a close second, he can’t stand the continuous criticisms from retired NBA stars.
15. Growing up, his favorite NBA player was Muggsy Bogues.
In an interview with the Big Lead, he mentioned how he looked up to Bogues, who was not only the shortest player in NBA history but also his father’s former teammate.
16. Once, he discovered a wallet containing $160 and returned it.
Recalling the incident to the Big Lead, he shared the details:
“It happened during the early days of my sophomore year when I stumbled upon a wallet in the dining hall. As part of our tight-knit community at Davidson, we have this daily campus-wide email where we look out for each other. So, I put the wallet in there. However, since my email had my first name, ‘Wardell,’ the owner of the wallet didn’t realize it was me until he showed up at my door. He was like, ‘You were the one who dominated Maryland in the NCAA tournament!’ and then asked for my autograph. It was quite funny.”
17. It was during his freshman year at Davidson when he first managed to dunk a basketball.
18. His first date with his wife, Ayesha, took place on Hollywood Boulevard.
In an interview with AskMen.com, he revealed:
“We went to Hollywood Boulevard in LA. At that time, she was living there while I was visiting. She picked me up in her Astro Van, and we cruised around Hollywood Blvd. We snapped a photo with the Marilyn Monroe statue on the Walk of Fame, enjoyed some chai tea lattes, did some sightseeing, and the rest is history.”
19. Among his favorite movies are “The Princess Diaries” and “A Walk to Remember.”
According to an interview with his sister on ESPNW, Steph has a soft spot for romantic chick flicks.
20. He holds the record for being the longest-serving player on the Golden State Warriors roster.
Having been drafted in 2009, no other player on the current roster has been with the Warriors for a longer time.
21. One of his fondest childhood memories is when he had the opportunity to join the hip-hop group Kris Kross on stage.
22. The major Division I programs did not offer him a college scholarship.
According to NESN.com, he only received three basketball scholarships: Davidson, VCU, and Winthrop.
23. He wears the jersey number 30 as a tribute to his father.
24. He first met Kevin Durant at an AAU event when he was just 10 years old.
Describing the encounter, Durant shared with NBA 2K Uncensored:
“I walked into the gym and saw this kid stepping across half court and effortlessly draining jump shots. Splash. Splash. When we ended up playing against him, he scored around 35 points, and he was only 10 years old. I remember thinking, ‘Who is this?’ And now, 10 years later… that was Steph Curry.”
25. His go-to TV show is “How to Get Away With Murder.”
(from the Warriors’ Q&A on Facebook)
Given his nickname, the “Babyfaced Assassin,” it’s no surprise that this crime drama would be his favorite.
26. Eating candy is his worst habit.
(as mentioned on CBSSports.com)
His ultimate sugary snack of choice? Maynards, a Canadian candy known as fuzzy peach.
27. If he had the chance, he would trade places with golfer Rory McIlroy.
(via Sports Illustrated)
Once again, his love for golf shines through. The ball is now in Rory’s court.
28. Whenever he goes online, he enjoys exploring different websites, including USATODAY.com, Twitter, ESPN.com, and Sports Illustrated. In a recent interview with SI’s “hot clicks,” he shared his top picks for favorite online destinations.