After his fourth NBA title and his selection as the Most Valuable Player of the Finals, the guard of the Golden State Warriors, Stephen Curry, often used the phrase “What are they going to say now?”, in regards to his professional resume. But now, the same goes for her college career.
On Wednesday, Curry was inducted into the Davidson College Hall of Fame, had his jersey number retired and received his diploma in a ceremony at Belk Arena on the school campus.
“This is an absolutely amazing day and an amazing time for me and my family,” Curry said. “The best decision I ever made was to come to Davidson College and pursue an education, join an amazing community and most importantly play for an amazing man who has built this program in Coach (Bob) McKillop.”
If Steph Curry was able to graduate, why couldn’t you? 🎓pic.twitter.com/YXrVNdLBQy
– NBA Legacy (@NbaLegado) August 31, 2022
Curry finished his degree in May with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, but was unable to attend his spring college graduation due to the NBA Playoffs. So he got an individual ceremony on Wednesday.
“To earn this title, he showed determination and perseverance,” Davidson President Doug Hicks said during the ceremony. “It would have been so easy, so straightforward not to complete your college degree. Yet in response to that idea, you did what you did with 29 other organizations in the NBA, you said, ‘Good night.'”
Earning his title was fulfilling a promise Curry made to his mother, Sonya, 13 years ago when Curry came out for the draft. But it was also a prerequisite for removing his jersey, a rule established at Davidson.
Sonya spoke at the ceremony, reflecting on how she initially wanted her son to attend a more prominent school, but changed her mind when she saw how happy Curry was at Davidson.
Curry’s father, Dell, addressed Curry’s work ethic, noting that the next time he’s inducted into the Hall of Fame, “you know where he’s going to be.”
Bob McKillop, Curry’s former coach and Davidson’s winningest coach in school history, concluded the speeches by saying, “There is hope in the world because of Stephen Curry.”
Curry attended Davidson College from 2006 to 2009 and during those three years became the school’s all-time leader in points, 3-pointers, free throws, field goals and steals.
Curry also finished his college career as the Southern Conference’s all-time leading scorer, set an NCAA record with 162 3-pointers in 2008, was the 2009 Southern Conference Bob Waters Male Athlete of the Year, and was a consensus All -American in 2009. Led the Wildcats to the Elite Eight in 2008.
“Every president at every graduation makes hopeful statements about the future of the graduates,” Hicks said. “In that spirit, I hereby confidently predict, Stephen Curry, that you will enjoy considerable success in his life and career after college.”
After the commencement speeches, Curry’s wife, Ayesha, and their children, Riley, Ryan and Canon, joined him onstage.
As of Wednesday, Davidson had retired only eight jerseys, but never a jersey number. Curry’s number 30 became the first number to be retired, meaning that no Davidson men’s basketball player will ever wear number 30 again.
As the audience counted down from 10, Curry and his family pulled a basketball-shaped lever to reveal his jersey hanging on the raptors and forever indoctrinate him in Davidson history.
“I’m a graduate,” Curry said to end his speech. “I’m a Davidson alumnus and I’m in the Hall of Fame. And that’s pretty crazy.”
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Curry, to Davidson College HOF