Curry has won four NBA Championships, two MVP Awards, and played in 10 NBA All-Star Games. For the first time, he’s adding “Olympian” to his name—and here’s why.
It’s incredible that the Golden State Warriors superstar, hailed as one of the greatest basketball players of his generation, has never been on the USA Basketball Olympic Team.
Steph Curry was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 2009, after playing for Davidson in college, and Charlotte Christian in high school. In the NBA, he immediately transformed the expectations of what is possible from beyond the three-point line. His ability to make long shots has made him the greatest shooter of the game with an NBA record of over 3,000 career three-pointers.
Curry’s three-point percentage is 43.1%. In the 2015-2016 season, he recorded the most three-pointers made in a single season at 402. He’s also the fastest player to reach 1,000 three-pointers and consistently leads the league in free throw percentage.
So what gives? Why is he making his Olympic debut only this year in Paris? It turns out the reasons are a mix of injuries, timing, and personal reasons.
Starting with the last Olympics, or the “Pandemic Olympics” in Tokyo, Curry opted out. “It just wasn’t right for me,” Curry told The Athletic in July 2021. “Very confident in that decision. No regrets at all. Obviously being here, playing golf, having fun with my family—that’s a personal thing. But there’s always that itch to play and play on the biggest stage, like the Olympics. But it just wasn’t the right thing for me and the right time.”
For the Rio Olympics in 2016, Curry had to bow out as he was beset with ankle and knee injuries. He wrote in a statement, “My previous experiences with USA Basketball have been incredibly rewarding, educational, and enjoyable, which made this an extremely difficult decision for me and my family. However, due to several factors—including recent ankle and knee injuries—I believe this is the best decision for me at this stage of my career. It’s an incredible honor to represent your country and wear ‘USA’ on your chest, but my primary basketball-related objective this summer needs to focus on my body and getting ready for the 2016-17 NBA season.”
And, now, Paris
In April this year, USA Basketball, the national governing body responsible for the selection and training of USA teams that compete in FIBA sponsored international basketball competitions and domestic events, announced Team USA’s Olympic lineup.
The 12 athletes are three-time Olympic champion Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns) and the NBA’s all-time scoring leader LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers), who owns a pair of Olympic gold medals, Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat), Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers), Jrue Holiday (Boston Celtics), Kawhi Leonard (L.A. Clippers), and Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics).
The team is made up of 12 NBA All-Stars, four NBA MVPs, and six NBA champions. Durant is the USA’s all-time Olympic statistical leader in total points (435), while James, who has scored 273 points in the Olympics, counts Paris as his fourth Olympics and first since 2012.
Curry said over the weekend, before the Opening Ceremony in Paris, “I’m a true fan out here. No matter what you experience in your career, there’s something very humbling, and the gratitude flows when you know you’re an Olympic athlete.”
Curry’s dribbling and shooting styles will surely dazzle Olympic watchers. Known for his rigorous training regimen, Curry spends countless hours perfecting his shooting technique and ball-handling skills. He has consistently performed under high-pressure situations, including clutch moments in playoff games and NBA Finals. His ability to remain focused in critical moments highlights his mental toughness.
In April this year, when the point guard’s Golden State Warriors team defeated LeBron’s LA Lakers, James said in a podcast, “The ball is not the problem with Steph Curry. He’s the f**king problem. Steph is most dangerous when he doesn’t have the ball. It’s not many guys in our league that’s most dangerous without the ball. Guarding Steph is uncomfortable.”
For his part, Curry said of LeBron after playing a FIBA game, “Playing with LeBron is exactly how I imagined it. He understands the game at such a high level. He’s an all-time great.”
Team USA defeated Serbia in its first game yesterday, July 28, 110-84.
