Steph Curry, renowned for his illustrious NBA career, was not always considered a top prospect when he first entered college basketball. However, his former college coach, Bob McKillop, saw something special in Curry from the start.
During a Davidson alumni event before Curry’s debut game, Coach McKillop couldn’t contain his enthusiasm, stating, “Wait ’til you see Steph Curry. He is something special.” Despite a shaky first game with 15 points and 13 turnovers, Curry quickly showcased his talent by scoring 32 points, dishing out four assists, and grabbing nine rebounds in the following game against Michigan.
Throughout his college career, Curry’s exceptional performances led him to become the Southern Conference’s leading scorer. In his final season at Davidson, he averaged an impressive 28.6 points, 5.6 assists, and 2.5 steals per game, earning him the NCAA scoring title and consensus first-team All-American honors.
Coach McKillop shared a revealing story about Curry’s character, stating (via Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today), “In the summer before his senior year of high school, he was in a tournament in Las Vegas, where few high-profile coaches were watching. Despite making mistakes, Steph remained composed, never criticizing opponents or officials. He cheered on his teammates and maintained direct eye contact with his coach during timeouts.
“He transcended time. He transcended experience. He did not let anything interrupt him. He was in a starting lineup on opening day because we believed that he transcended time and transcended mistakes. … He got us to believe in him.”
This unwavering dedication, leadership, and ability to transcend setbacks earned Curry a spot in the starting lineup on opening day. His relentless belief in himself and the support of his coach and teammates laid the foundation for his phenomenal success both in college and later in the NBA.
