​Steph Curry expressed appreciation for the encouragement from his longtime Golden State Warriors teammate Draymond Green, while making it clear that he has no plans to switch careers and chase professional tennis shoes or stadiums full time. Yet he also acknowledged that he would welcome Green’s help in a different arena altogether: persuading superstar free agent LeBron James to consider joining the Warriors. Curry, a two-time NBA MVP, added another layer to his week by winning the American Century Championship in 2023 and entering Sunday’s final round in fourth place at the celebrity golf tournament in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada. The event spans three rounds and features a star-studded field from sports and entertainment, drawing energy from the crossover appeal of its contestants.
In a recent episode of Green’s podcast, the forward floated the idea that Curry could transition to the PGA Tour within three years if he committed to a rigorous preparation plan. Curry, however, brushed off the notion during an NBC Sports interview held during Saturday’s second round. “I love Draymond; that’s why he’s such a great teammate,” Curry said. “He’s hyping me up. I have immense respect for how hard this game is and for what you all do on the Tour week in, week out. There’s absolutely no realistic shot that I’m chasing a Tour card. But I do wonder how good I could become once basketball is finished, and maybe I could explore it gradually, perhaps without pursuing a Tour card, to see if I could still have a chance.” He added with a grin, “Draymond, I appreciate you, and I love you, and I know you think I’m a great golfer, but there are levels to this! There are levels.”
Curry is competing in the tournament alongside his father, Dell Curry, and his brother, Seth, all of whom share basketball pedigrees. Dell introduced his sons to golf, and the trio has cultivated a playful, ongoing family competition under a handicap system throughout five years of ACC participation, with each member having claimed bragging rights at least once. “I love seeing Pops play well,” Steph Curry said of his 62-year-old father, who remains active on the course. “We call him ‘The Originator,’ and he’s proving it right now.”
Off the course, Curry’s impact extends into golf culture and beyond. He has invested substantial resources into reviving both the men’s and women’s golf programs at Howard University, collaborating with sponsors to provide equipment and uniforms. He is also the founder of the Underrated Golf Tour, which seeks to elevate the profiles of overlooked junior players. “I was blessed to fall in love with the game,” Curry explained. “My dad got me into it, and my brother joined in when I was about 10 years old. Golf has given me a sense of camaraderie and a way to travel the world. But access to the sport isn’t universal, and that’s something I’ve been determined to address.”
Through his work at Howard University and with the Underrated Tour, Curry aims to broaden participation, equity, and opportunity within golf for young athletes. He envisions a future where talented players from underrepresented backgrounds have a realistic path into the game, aided not only by gear and scholarships but also by mentorship and reachable avenues into competitive golf. At the same time, Curry continues to compete at the highest level and enjoy the game on its own merits, believing that his involvement in golf can help raise the sport’s profile while linking it to meaningful social impact. This dual focus—pursuing personal excellence in golf and using his influence to expand access—defines the broader arc of Curry’s commitment to sport, community, and opportunity.