The Shot That Changed Basketball — Player Stats & Notes

Stephen Curry

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BasketballSeptember 21, 2026By Players Invest

Player Snapshot

Stephen Curry transformed the way basketball is played, coached and watched. With extraordinary range, constant movement and an unmatched ability to create space, he turned the three-point shot from a valuable weapon into the foundation of a modern offensive system. Curry's game was never built solely around size or athleticism. It was built around skill, repetition, confidence and the ability to make difficult shots look routine.

Selected seventh overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 2009 NBA Draft, Curry developed from a talented scoring guard into the central figure of one of the most influential teams in NBA history. Alongside Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and coach Steve Kerr, he helped lead Golden State to four NBA championships. His two MVP awards, including the league's first unanimous MVP in 2015–16, and his 2022 NBA Finals MVP established a career defined by both individual innovation and team success.

Curry's influence extends beyond statistics. He helped normalize high-volume three-point shooting, changed defensive strategies and became one of the most recognizable athletes of his generation.

Key Player Info

Key Player Info

Position

Point Guard

Height

6'2"

Weight

185 lbs

Drafted

No. 7 overall, 2009

Team

Golden State Warriors

Jersey

No. 30

Player Notes

Curry entered the NBA after three seasons at Davidson College, where he became one of the most exciting scorers in college basketball. The Warriors selected him seventh overall in 2009, and he quickly established himself as a dynamic offensive player despite questions about his size and long-term durability.

His early NBA career included ankle problems that threatened to interrupt his development. Curry eventually overcame those challenges, improved his conditioning and ball-handling, and became the centerpiece of Golden State's offense. His ability to shoot from well beyond the traditional three-point line forced defenses to extend farther from the basket, creating opportunities for teammates and changing the geometry of the game.

The 2014–15 season marked a major turning point. Curry won his first NBA MVP award and led the Warriors to their first championship since 1975. Golden State returned to the Finals in 2016 but lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers after holding a 3–1 series lead.

Curry responded with one of the greatest regular seasons in NBA history in 2015–16. He averaged 30.1 points per game, made an NBA-record 402 three-pointers and became the first unanimous MVP in league history. The Warriors finished the regular season with a then-record 73–9 record, although they ultimately lost the Finals to Cleveland.

Golden State added Kevin Durant in the summer of 2016 and won back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018. The Warriors returned to the Finals in 2019 but lost to the Toronto Raptors, while injuries to key players affected the team's ability to sustain its run.

After several difficult seasons, Curry led Golden State back to the championship in 2022. He earned his first NBA Finals MVP after averaging 31.2 points per game during the series against the Boston Celtics. The championship reinforced Curry's ability to remain the focal point of a title-winning team well into his 30s.

NBA Career Stats

Career Totals

Career Totals

CategoryCareer Total
Games Played1,069
Points Per Game24.8
Rebounds Per Game4.7
Assists Per Game6.3
Field Goal Percentage47.1%
Three-Point Percentage42.2%
Free Throw Percentage91.2%

Career averages and games played are based on the available 2025–26 statistical record. Curry's career totals continue to change as his playing career progresses.

Curry's statistical profile is defined by a combination of scoring efficiency, three-point volume and free-throw accuracy. His career three-point percentage above 40% while taking a historically high number of attempts is central to understanding his impact. He has also remained one of the league's most effective off-ball players, using screens, movement and quick releases to create scoring opportunities without needing to control the ball on every possession.

The Curry Resume

Career Achievements

Career Achievements

NBA Champion

4x

NBA Finals MVP

1x, 2022

NBA MVP

2x

NBA All-Star

12x

All-NBA

11x

First-Team All-NBA

4x

NBA All-Rookie Team

Yes

NBA Three-Point Contest

2x Champion

Olympic Gold Medal

2024

Draft

2009 No. 7 overall

Team

Golden State Warriors

Jersey

No. 30

Curry's listed NBA awards and honors include four championships, two MVP awards, one Finals MVP, 12 All-Star selections and 11 All-NBA selections. The 2024 Olympic gold medal represents his first Olympic championship with Team USA.

Golden State Legacy

Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors are inseparable parts of the modern NBA story. Curry spent his entire NBA career with Golden State, helping the organization move from a developing franchise into a championship team with a distinct offensive identity.

His partnership with Klay Thompson became one of the league's most influential backcourts. The two guards combined perimeter shooting, movement and spacing in ways that forced opponents to rethink defensive assignments. Draymond Green's playmaking and defensive versatility further supported the system, while Steve Kerr helped build an offense that emphasized ball movement and three-point attempts.

Curry's Golden State identity is particularly important for collectors. His No. 30 jersey, Davidson background, early Warriors cards, championship releases and record-setting three-point milestones all connect to different periods of his career. Unlike players who change teams frequently, Curry's legacy is strongly tied to one franchise and one recognizable visual identity.

The Warriors' 2022 championship also added a later-career milestone to his story. Curry was no longer simply the young guard who had revolutionized the league. He was the established leader who had helped bring the franchise back to the top.

Collectibles Note

Stephen Curry occupies a unique position in the basketball card market because his collecting story combines modern popularity, historic accomplishments and a recognizable playing identity. His rookie cards connect to the beginning of the three-point revolution, while later cards reflect MVP seasons, championship runs and record-setting shooting performances.

His key collecting categories include rookie cards, early Davidson and Warriors releases, 2015–16 MVP-era cards, championship cards, Finals MVP cards and limited-numbered parallels. His 2022 championship and Finals MVP added another significant chapter to the career represented across his cards.

Curry's market story is also connected to his broad appeal beyond traditional basketball collectors. His influence on the game, recognizable shooting style and global popularity have helped make him a central figure in modern basketball culture. Individual card values still depend on factors such as set, condition, grading, scarcity, print run and market demand. His established career provides a substantial historical foundation, but specific cards should be evaluated individually rather than assuming all Curry cards carry the same level of demand.

Fun Fact

Stephen Curry was the first player in NBA history to make 400 three-pointers in a single regular season. He made 402 during the 2015–16 season.


Players Invest Take

Stephen Curry represents one of the clearest examples of a player whose influence extends beyond his statistics. His career includes four championships, two MVP awards, a Finals MVP and a fundamental role in changing how basketball is played. His collecting profile benefits from multiple points of interest: his Davidson beginnings, Warriors identity, three-point records, championship history and long-term cultural impact.

The key part of Curry's story is that his significance is not limited to one season or one record. His career connects performance, innovation and recognizability, giving collectors several different ways to understand his place in basketball history.

From the seventh overall pick in 2009 to four-time NBA champion and the player who changed the value of the three-point shot, Stephen Curry built a legacy around skill, repetition and imagination. From prospect to pro, Curry became one of the defining players of modern basketball.

— Players Invest