“Steph Curry Is Here, It’s Time”: Protected By Security, Warriors Star Gave Sacramento Gym Powerful Reminder

By now, the latest news about the Warriors superstar, Stephen Curry has reached all corners of the world. After all, it’s not every day that the greatest shooter in the NBA walks into your local pickup game. Marcus Kirkland, a basketball trainer who runs StriveAboveOthers (an initiative for athletic and academic development) at Folsom, knew the 4x champion would make an appearance. But he wasn’t entirely sure if Curry would be able to make it.

“NBA players, their schedules get a little hectic,” Kirkland said. So, imagine the surprise of around 15 players he gathered when Stephen Curry casually walked inside with two bodyguards and a gray hoodie for what would be the most memorable game of their lives. The 36-year-old was accompanied by former Kings guard, Kent Bazemore. Marcus and Kent had met two years ago at Lifetime Fitness in Folsom, the same gym where the pickup game was organized.

Bazemore knew Curry from his NBA days and through him, Kirkland also formed a friendship with the 10x All-Star. When ‘Chef Curry’ learned about Marcus’ initiatives, he promised that he would visit. And when Curry was in town for his daughter’s volleyball tournament, he decided it was the right time to make good on his word.

Marcus’ sessions included players from Sacramento’s basketball community or those with connections to the area. They ranged from local high school players, college players, and former college players or professionals. After a quick introduction to everyone on the court, Steph went right down to business, selecting his group. The shift in the atmosphere was obvious.

Eric French, a 21-year-old photographer, videographer, and a friend of Kirkland, summed up the scenario accurately. “Instantly, the mood has changed from ‘OK, this is just light runs’ to ‘OK, Steph Curry is here, it’s time.” Before they knew it, everyone was invested in the game, almost as if it was a league game itself. After all, they had an NBA legend playing pickup with them.

“He’s human”: Hyped teammates of Stephen Curry relished in the ‘Curry experience’

Having a globally recognized athlete with a decorated resume that continues to grow, playing next to you would naturally be unnerving. But you just can’t pass up on the lifetime experience due to a few nerves, either. That was the case with the players at Lifetime Fitness. They were the recipients of a moment that many could only dream of, so these men wanted to make sure they had their best foot forward.

However, this was Stephen Curry we were talking about. “I feel like it allowed everybody to see he’s human. He’s such a humble individual. Him being who he is, for him to treat everybody on the same level as him in the building, that was the best takeaway,” Berry Roseborough, a basketball coach and trainer who played Saturday with Curry, said.

Damarion Vann-Kelly, a 17-year-old combo guard, who was tasked with defending Curry also had a similar opinion. “He just treated it like it was another day at an open run. … He was playing the game, just letting us play with him.”

There is no doubt that these men will be talking about this for a long time. Because as Bazemore pointed out, they “got the Steph Curry experience.” Imagine if it was you in that gym shoulder-to-shoulder with the ‘Baby faced assassin‘. What would be your favorite moment? Let us know in the comments below!

But before you go, be sure to check this video of Leonardo Armato’s take on Caitlin Clark vs Angel Reese.

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