Daughter Riley’s Distaste for Ayesha Curry’s Favorite Sport Forced Life-Changing Decision With Stephen Curry

Warriors guard Stephen Curry and his wife Ayesha had a role reversal last month. While we’re used to seeing the Curry couple shine in the spotlight, this time, they were just beaming parents cheering from the sidelines. Along with little Canon and baby Caius, the couple showed up in full support of their oldest, Riley. No, it was not basketball that Riley was into.

The firstborn of the Currys is in volleyball and is already making quite a name there. And Steph could not be prouder. Back in 2023, in an interview, Steph had revealed that her determination is already following her father’s path. According to him, Riley took keen interest in attending practice and dribbled the ball around the house.

“Riley, she’s super into volleyball right now, and a light bulb went off, actually this year, where she’s excited to go to practice and dribbling or passing the ball around the house and all that type of stuff,” Steph had said. And that struck a chord with the father. “To see that light bulb go off and that level of focus, that you see a little bit of yourself in,” he said, “And trying to encourage that as much as possible,” Steph had added. Indeed, Steph played a phenomenal role in letting his daughter pursue whatever she wanted. But he was not alone in this. Even Ayesha also kept her favorite sport at bay when she found that Riley is not much into it. Lately, she opened up about it.

During a conversation with Malika Andrews, the 35-year-old entrepreneur opened up about a turning point in her daughter Riley’s early interests.When Malika asked, “Why is it important for parents not to push their kids to specialize from a parent perspective?” Ayesha offered a refreshingly honest response. “Creating this lackluster environment and them not really enjoying what they’re doing. If you implement that at such a young age, like everything is just going to become mundane and more, and in lackluster,” Ayesha explained.

She then shared a personal moment many parents can relate to—realizing your child isn’t enjoying the activity you love. “And so I want it. My girls to ride so bad. I was all about the equestrian,” the Warriors superstar’s wife admitted. “I had to take a step back and be like she, she actually doesn’t like, like, it’s time to call it.” Indeed, Ayesha holds horse riding close to her heart. In the past, we have seen her enjoying those sessions. “I really like to go horseback riding. I’m able to turn my mind off and focus on what I’m doing. If you’re thinking about anything else—groceries, work, whatever— your horse isn’t going to do a darned thing! It’s called “Equus therapy” for a reason,” she had said in 2021.

So, letting go wasn’t easy, but it proved to be the right call. Today, Riley has traded horseback riding for volleyball—and the change has made all the difference. “And now, she’s playing volleyball, she’s thriving. And she loves it,” Ayesha shared proudly. Sometimes, the best parenting move is knowing when to pivot, even if it means changing your favorite sport. And if you’re stuck wondering whether it’s “too late” to add another kid to the mix, Ayesha’s experience might just give you that final nudge. Interestingly, the couple always seem to set an example when it comes to building their family.

Ayesha Curry opens up about her kids’ age gap

When she and Steph welcomed their fourth child, Caius, in May, their other kids—Riley (12), Ryan (9), and Canon (6)—were already well into their own stages of life. Naturally, Ayesha admits, “We were worried about having the six-year gap between our son and Cai Cai, and it’s been magical. He truly feels like a big brother. He only wants to protect him. There’s no jealousy. I love it.”

And let me tell you, Canon is clearly thriving in his role as the protector. Meanwhile, Riley and Ryan? Ayesha calls them “little moms.” She said, “It’s the best decision we’ve ever made, honestly.” That level of sibling support? Not always guaranteed, but when it clicks, it’s amazing.

What’s the Curry family’s secret sauce? Keeping their relationship strong at the core. “I think for us, our relationship always comes first,” Ayesha told PEOPLE. “Then we’re parents.” She believes a healthy marriage leads to a happier family life: “You have two happy people raising the kids.”

In a separate chat with SheKnows, Ayesha reflected on the shift after baby #4, admitting, “Navigating has been wild, but things are going great so far.” Her older girls have even started helping around the house. So yeah, if you’re second-guessing the timing? Ayesha’s lived it—and she says it’s more than worth it.