Wardell Stephen Curry II, known worldwide as Steph Curry, is an American professional basketball player who has captivated audiences with his exceptional skills and achievements. As a point guard for the Golden State Warriors in the National Basketball Association (NBA), Curry is celebrated as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, and his influence extends beyond the court.
This article delves into the ethnic background of Stephen Curry, exploring his family history and the cultural influences that have shaped his identity. Understanding Curry's ethnicity provides a richer perspective on the man behind the legend, shedding light on the diverse heritage that contributes to his remarkable story.
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Stephen Curry in 2018
Family Background and Heritage
Stephen Curry's parents are Sonya Alicia (Adams), a former volleyball player and educator, and Dell Curry (Wardell Stephen Curry), an NBA player who played with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets, and Toronto Raptors. His brother, Seth Curry, is also a professional basketball player.
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Stephen's family history reveals a rich tapestry of African-American heritage, with deep roots in the American South. Sonya Curry's experiences growing up in Radford, Virginia, provide a poignant glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of her family's journey.
Sonya Curry's Story
Sonya Curry grew up in a poor African-American community in Radford, Virginia. Her mother, Candy Adams, was part of the desegregation of a high school and faced racism. Sonya recalls an incident where a Ku Klux Klansman lit a cross on fire during a softball game featuring an all-black team of her family members.
Despite the adversity, Sonya excelled in sports and academics. She was a three-sport star in high school and the first in her family to attend college, attending Virginia Tech, where she met Dell Curry.
Sonya Curry during the Golden State Warriors’ victory parade on June 12, 2018, in Oakland, California.
Dell Curry's Career
Dell Curry was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1988 NBA expansion draft. The Currys experienced racism when the Hornets' owner cautioned Dell about being seen with Sonya, who was perceived as white. Despite these challenges, Dell and Sonya raised three successful children who excelled in sports.
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Stephen Curry's Racial Identity
Both of Stephen's parents and all of his grandparents are African-American. He has sometimes been described as having a Haitian maternal grandparent. Despite the curiosity surrounding his lighter skin color and hazel eyes, Curry identifies as African-American, embracing his heritage and family history.
Curry’s sister Sydel has indicated that she and her brothers aren’t “half white” as many have mistaken them for.
College Career at Davidson
Stephen Curry played college basketball for the Davidson Wildcats, where he quickly gained recognition for his exceptional talent and scoring ability. In his second collegiate game, he recorded a season-high 32 points and nine rebounds against Michigan. He had 30 points and a season-high 11 rebounds against Chattanooga on December 18, 2006, for his first career double-double. On February 6, 2007, also against Chattanooga, Curry broke the school's 500-point freshman record, finishing with 730 points. He set the NCAA single-season record for three-pointers made (162) as a sophomore and led the NCAA Division I in scoring during his junior year.
During his time at Davidson, Curry achieved numerous accolades and led his team to unprecedented success. On March 21, 2008, Davidson matched up with seventh-seeded Gonzaga. Gonzaga led by 11 points early in the second half but Curry went on to score 30 points in the half to push Davidson to their first NCAA tournament win since 1969 with a score of 82-76. Curry ended the game with 40 points while also going 8-of-10 from three-point range. On March 23, Davidson played second-seeded Georgetown in the second round, with Curry scoring just five points in the first half of the game as Davidson trailed by as many as 17 points. His 25 second-half points led Davidson to a 74-70 comeback victory. On March 28, Curry led Davidson to another win, against third-seeded Wisconsin. He scored 33 points as Davidson won 73-56 to advance to the Elite 8.
Curry joined Clyde Lovellette, Jerry Chambers, and Glenn Robinson as the only college players to score over 30 points in their first four career NCAA tournament games. Curry also tied Darrin Fitzgerald of Butler for the single-season record for most three-pointers with 158. On March 30, he set the record, against the top-seeded Kansas Jayhawks, with his 159th three-pointer of the season. Curry finished the season averaging 25.9 points, 2.9 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. Following Davidson's loss in the NCAA Regional Finals, Curry announced that he would return for his junior year.
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On November 18, 2008, he scored a career-high 44 points in Davidson's 82-78 loss to Oklahoma. He extended a career-long streak by scoring at least 25 points for the seventh straight game. On November 21, Curry registered a career-high 13 assists to go along with 30 points in Davidson's 97-70 win over Winthrop. On November 25, against Loyola, Curry was held scoreless as Loyola constantly double-teamed him. It was Curry's only scoreless collegiate game and only his second without double-digit points. Curry surpassed the 2000-point mark for his career on January 3, 2009, as he scored 21 points against Samford.
On February 14, 2009, Curry rolled his ankle in the second half of a win over Furman. The injury caused Curry to miss the February 18 game against The Citadel, the first and only game he missed in his college career. On February 28, 2009, Curry became Davidson's all-time leading scorer with 34 points in a 99-56 win against Georgia Southern. In the 2009 Southern Conference tournament, Davidson played Appalachian State in the quarterfinals and won 84-68. Curry scored 43 points, which is the third most points in Southern Conference tournament history. In the semifinals, against the College of Charleston, Curry had 20 points but Davidson lost 52-59. Despite lobbying from Davidson head coach Bob McKillop and Charleston coach Bobby Cremins, the Wildcats failed to get an NCAA tournament bid. Instead, they received the sixth seed in the 2009 NIT. Davidson played the third seed, South Carolina, on the road in the first round. Curry scored 32 points as the Wildcats beat the Gamecocks 70-63. Davidson then lost 80-68 to the Saint Mary's Gaels in the second round. In his final season at Davidson, Curry averaged 28.6 points, 5.6 assists, and 2.5 steals.
NBA Career Highlights
On June 25, 2009, Curry was selected as the seventh overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors. He quickly established himself as a rising star, earning Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors multiple times and finishing as runner-up for the NBA Rookie of the Year award.
Curry's impact on the Warriors and the NBA as a whole has been transformative. He has led the Warriors to multiple NBA championships, earned two NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, and revolutionized the game with his unparalleled shooting range and ball-handling skills.
Here is a summary of Curry's achievements:
| Achievement | Year |
|---|---|
| NBA Champion | 2015, 2017, 2018, 2022 |
| NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) | 2015, 2016 |
| NBA Finals MVP | 2022 |
| NBA All-Star | 11 times |
| NBA Scoring Champion | 2 times |
Conclusion
Stephen Curry's ethnicity is a complex and multifaceted aspect of his identity. His African-American heritage is deeply rooted in his family history, with stories of resilience, perseverance, and triumph over adversity. Curry's success on and off the court is a testament to his talent, hard work, and the values instilled in him by his family and community.
