At the 4:02 minute mark of the first half, the camera captures Stephen Curry darting into view. He receives a pass from a teammate, dribbles past defenders, and scores a 3-pointer during the opening game of the NBA Finals. A quick fist pump to his chest and a point towards the rafters of Oracle Arena in Oakland is caught on camera, indicating Curry’s gratitude towards God for helping the Warriors defeat the Cavaliers that night. Curry’s phenomenal performance under pressure was matched by his impressive regular season. He broke his own record by making 286 three-pointers, earning him the NBA MVP title. Despite being in competition with basketball greats LeBron James and James Harden, Curry attributed his success to God, rather than just his hard work and love for the game. During his MVP speech, Curry expressed his dependence on Jesus Christ, stating that his faith is crucial in shaping who he is as a player and person. Curry made the decision to follow Christ during middle school after hearing from a youth pastor that he and his peers needed to make independent choices without consulting their parents.
The religious beliefs of Curry drive him to actively seek ways to assist those who are less fortunate.
Back in 2012, when Curry broke the 3-point record, he also joined the Nothing but Nets movement. This initiative distributes insecticide-treated bed nets, inspired by Rick Reilly’s sports column. For every bed net given, Curry made 3 three-pointers, leading to a total of 816 bed nets donated that year. With his latest achievement, Curry hopes to surpass last year’s donation and contribute even more bed nets to the cause.
Stephen Curry’s family has played a significant role in his development as an NBA star and devout Christian. With a dad, Dell Curry, who played in the NBA for 16 seasons and a mom, Sonya, who excelled in volleyball, athletics have always been a part of Curry’s life. However, he also credits his upbringing with instilling discipline and faith in him. Curry’s MVP award speech highlighted a moment from his middle school years when his parents made him sit out of a game for not completing his chores. Despite the embarrassment, this experience taught him the importance of responsibility and accountability. After leading Davidson College to the Elite Eight in 2008, Curry entered the NBA draft and was selected seventh overall by the Golden State Warriors. Although the team struggled in his first season, Curry quickly emerged as a key player with his scoring and distributing abilities, leading the Warriors to a remarkable 41-win improvement over the past five years. As the Warriors prepare for the second game of the Finals on June 7th, it’s clear that Curry’s family and upbringing have played a significant role in his success both on and off the court.