Who Is Stephen Curry?

Stephen Curry is a professional American basketball player with the Golden State Warriors. The son of former NBA player Dell Curry, Stephen first garnered national attention for his impressive play at Davidson College. He was drafted in 2009 by Golden State and eventually developed into one of pro basketball’s top players with his stellar shooting skills. After garnering Most Valuable Player honors and helping the Warriors win the NBA championship in 2015, Curry led the team to a league-record 73 wins the following season. In May 2016, Curry became the first person to be named MVP by unanimous vote in NBA history, and one of only 11 players to win the MVP award two years in a row. He then helped the Warriors win the NBA title again in 2017 and 2018, both times over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Early Life and Family

Stephen Curry was born Wardell Stephen Curry II in Akron, Ohio on March 14, 1988, but mainly grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina. The oldest son of former NBA player Dell Curry, Curry learned the fundamentals of basketball by watching and practicing with his father. However, it was mom Sonya, a former Division I volleyball star, who instilled the discipline to train in her son while Dell Sr. was with his team on road trips.

Curry has two siblings. His younger brother, Seth Curry, went on to a career in professional basketball after starting at Duke University. Stephen’s sister Sydel became a volleyball player at Elon University.

Wife and Children

Curry married his college sweetheart, Ayesha Alexander, on July 30, 2011. Born on March 23, 1989, in Toronto, Canada, Ayesha Curry is an entrepreneur and former actress known for the TV series Ballers and as the host of the cooking show Ayesha’s Home Kitchen.

The Currys have two daughters. On July 19, 2012, they welcomed their first, named Riley. Their second daughter, Ryan, was born on July 10, 2015. Three years later on July 4, 2018, Ayesha gave birth to their first son, Canon W. Jack.

Stephen Curry family, Stephen curry, the curry family

Faith

Curry has been open about his Christian faith through the years, even wearing the Bible verse from Philippians 4:13 on his shoes: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

But he said in a recent podcast that the New Testament’s Romans 8:28 actually formed a foundation for his faith when he was younger.

Romans 8:28 reads: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Curry told Christian singer Tauren Wells on his The High Note Podcast that he was constantly being compared to his father Dell Curry, who had played in the NBA for 16 years.

He explained that while his father was on the road playing basketball, his mother Sonya was the daily foundation of discipline, encouragement, and support for him and his two siblings. It was also his mom, Curry said, that led the three Curry children to their relationship with God and the beginning of their faith journey by taking them to church every Wednesday and Sunday. Plus, she led at 6:30 a.m. Bible studies every morning before school.

“It kind of gave me the confidence to find out what that meant for myself,” the Golden State Warriors point guard said. “These last crazy 12 years in the league, a lot of it has come down to forming an identity and knowing where my foundation is so that with all the things thrown at me, as you said, I knew who I was and I know who I am.”

“I credit my mom a lot for showing us the way,” Curry added.

College Career and NBA Draft

Lightly recruited by major college basketball programs despite a standout career at Charlotte Christian School, Curry enrolled at tiny Davidson College near his hometown. He immediately showcased his skills by scoring 32 points against the University of Michigan in his second game and wound up earning Southern Conference freshman of the year honors.

“Make it work no matter what you have to work with – that’s something that stuck with me very early on as a point guard. Adjust. Get creative. Try a different angle, a different lane, a different move or a different shot – just make it work.” – Stephen Curry

Curry became a national star in March of his sophomore year when he carried the Wildcats to a berth in the regional finals of the NCAA tournament with a series of high-scoring performances.