Stephen Curry is established as one of the best NBA guards ever, with four NBA Finals championships and two MVP awards. And although his first championship came nearly 10 years ago, the Golden State Warriors sharpshooter has still yet to play in an Olympics.
Until now.
Curry will finally make his Olympic debut this summer, as the 36-year-old guard is set to play a key role for Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics. He has started each of the United States’ five exhibition wins in preparation for the tournament, scoring 24 points in Team USA’s 105-79 win over Serbia on July 17.
The 10-time NBA All-Star, still at the top of his game, averaged 26.4 points with 4.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game last season, and will undoubtedly be among the best players at the Olympics in 2024.
Curry has certainly been good enough to make the roster in recent years, but had yet to make an Olympic roster. Here’s why 2024 marks the first time Curry is participating in the Olympics:
Why are these Steph Curry’s first Olympics?
Curry has yet to appear in the Olympics, although he’s on the United States’ roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In 2021 — the year in which the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were held due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 — Curry opted out of the Olympics due to personal reasons.
“It just wasn’t right for me,” Curry told The Athletic in July 2021. “Very confident in that decision. No regrets at all. Obviously being here, playing golf, having fun with my family — that’s a personal thing. But there’s always that itch to play and play on the biggest stage, like the Olympics. But it just wasn’t the right thing for me and the right time.”
The decision came after Curry was forced to miss the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics after not being healthy, citing ankle and knee injuries. Curry missed four games during the Warriors’ run in the 2016 NBA playoffs, in which he was the reigning back-to-back league MVP.
“My previous experiences with USA Basketball have been incredibly rewarding, educational and enjoyable, which made this an extremely difficult decision for me and my family,” Curry wrote in a statement. “However, due to several factors — including recent ankle and knee injuries — I believe this is the best decision for me at this stage of my career. It’s an incredible honor to represent your country and wear ‘USA’ on your chest, but my primary basketball-related objective this summer needs to focus on my body and getting ready for the 2016-17 NBA season.”
Curry was not selected foro the 2012 London Olympics, despite helping lead Team USA to a gold medal at the 2010 World Championships. Curry was only one of two players from that roster left off the 2012 London Olympics team, along with former Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger.
“Very disappointed,” Curry told reporters in 2012. “I got a chance to try out for the World Championships team, actually made it and won a gold medal. I wanted to repeat that experience. It’s very disappointing, but it’s just motivation for 2016.”
Curry was also not a member of the 2008 Beijing Olympics roster, as he was not drafted into the NBA until 2009, when he was the No. 7 overall pick out of Davidson.
Steph Curry age
Curry is 36 years old, making him a veteran for Team USA, even despite this being his Olympic debut. Conversely, LeBron James — the oldest player in the NBA, who is only three years older than Curry at 39 years old — made his Olympic debut in Athens 2004 at roughly 19 years old.
Steph Curry Team USA stats
Here are Steph Curry’s game-by-game stats during Team USA’s five-game showcase ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics:
United States 92, Germany 88 (July 22): 13 points, three rebounds
United States 101, South Sudan (July 20): 10 points
United States 105, Serbia 79 (July 17): 24 points
United States 98, Australia 92 (July 15): 3 points, two steals
United States 86, Canada 72 (July 10): 12 points