“In High School, You Can Get Away With It”: Stephen Curry Got a Brutal Lesson From His Father That Eventually Helped His Career

Stephen Curry has become synonymous with long-range shooting. His mesmerizing three-pointers and unmatched ball-handling skills have a legion of fans around the globe. Yet, the journey to the top wasn’t always smooth for him, his path to NBA stardom was paved with challenges. But a pivotal piece of advice from his father, Dell Curry, during his teenage days. 

Dell was a former NBA player himself. He recognized early on that his son’s shooting technique needed a significant overhaul if he was to compete at the highest level. This realization led to a brutal but necessary lesson that would ultimately shape Stephen’s game. 

Father’s wisdom has shaped the future star’s game

In the recently released documentary, “Stephen Curry: Underrated,” on Apple TV, Dell Curry recalls the moment he realized his son’s shooting style wouldn’t cut it in the big leagues. The documentary dives deeply into his personal and professional triumphs against all odds. Stephen, then a high schooler, was shooting from his waist, a technique that probably worked well for him. However, Dell knew that to excel in the NBA, Stephen would need to change his shot.

“Yeah, probably at that time, 5-10, 5-11, skinny, shooting from his waist. You know, younger in high school, you can get away with that. But I’m like, OK, if you want to go to the next level, you got to change your shot from your waist. You got to get up here, you got to develop a totally different set of muscles to make a change like that,” Dell said in the documentary.

The transformation that led to NBA stardom

Stephen took his father’s advice to heart, working tirelessly to transform his shooting technique. The change wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. The result? A shooting style that has since become iconic in the NBA. Stephen’s quick release and high arc have become a nightmare for defenders.

READ MORE: “Started Panicking”: Getting Abused by a Friend Got Stephen Curry Into So Much Trouble With His Own Mother That She Nearly Risked His College Education

This transformation didn’t just improve Stephen’s game; it revolutionized it. Today, he’s considered one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. His career statistics are a testament to his skill. He has a remarkable three-point shooting percentage of 43.3%, and he has broken the record for most three-pointers made in a season multiple times.