Can you top meeting your idol in your first game against them? Quincy Olivari—an undrafted rookie who dropped 22 points on his hero, Stephen Curry’s team, in the preseason—has pulled off something even bigger after the end of the season. While his season might be over, Quincy’s quietly doing something off the court that’s straight-up impressive. Trust me, this isn’t your typical rookie move. But it caps off a wonderful few months for Olivari that started months ago.

After their preseason game in October, Olivari finally met his basketball hero, Stephen Curry. The guy he’s been watching since middle school, the same Steph whose signature used to stare him down from above his bed as a kid. Talk about a full-circle moment. Cool as ever, Stephen Curry threw him a “I’m a big fan of your game.” And Quincy? Yeah, the man almost got all emotional in the post-game interview, admitting, “That’s my favorite player ever. I just wanted to be like him so bad.”

While social media was still buzzing about Quincy’s Curry meetup, the guy was quietly flexing off the court. May 17, 2025—Olivari walks across the stage at Xavier University for his master’s in sport administration. Under that graduation robe? His Lakers jersey, like a subtle flex that says, “Yeah, I’m doing this my way.” In an NBA world where most cats bounce from college early or skip school altogether, Quincy sticking it out for a master’s while trying to crack the league? That’s next-level hustle. It’s a reminder that winning isn’t just about points or highlight dunks—it’s about grinding on all fronts and keeping those family values tight.

Speaking of grinding, Quincy’s road to the NBA was anything but guaranteed. At Westlake High in Atlanta, he was the clutch king, leading his team to state and region titles and earning a rep as a pure scorer and leader. Then at Rice, he put up nearly 1,500 points, broke their three-point record, and snagged a bunch of All-Conference nods.

For his senior year, he bounced over to Xavier and instantly turned heads, dropping 19.1 points a game, leading the Big East in three-point percentage, and hitting a massive 43-point explosion that had scouts buzzing. Still, he went undrafted in 2024. Shocker. But the Lakers saw something and threw him a two-way deal. Next thing you know, he’s on the floor in an NBA preseason game, then signing with Stephen Curry’s brand. From zero to hero, fanboy to brand athlete, that’s the kind of story that gets you hyped.

How the Olivari Crew Built a Pro Hooper

Now, none of this would’ve happened without the real MVPs: his parents, Gerald and Courtney Olivari. These two have been in the trenches since day one.

Courtney? She was the early bird, waking up before dawn to make breakfast and get Quincy to those brutal 5 a.m. workouts. No complaints, no excuses—just straight-up support. Quincy even said in interviews, “My mom was just telling me that she would wake up, make me breakfast, and drop me off every morning at 5:00 am.” That kind of grind is the foundation for any solid player’s work ethic.

Money wasn’t exactly falling from the sky for the Olivaris, but that didn’t stop Gerald and Courtney from making sure Quincy got every chance. Travel to tournaments, scout exposure, game attendance—Gerald was always there in the stands, pumping him up. These folks didn’t just watch from the sidelines; they were in the trenches with him.

Then there’s the curveball—Courtney fought cancer and still doubled down on pushing Quincy to value education. She made sure he knew college wasn’t optional. And that’s why Quincy finished his degree at Rice and then went on to snag a master’s at Xavier, all while chasing an NBA career. Courtney summed it up: “He believed in himself in a way that nobody else did. He kept saying, ‘All I need is someone to give me a chance.’” And eventually, that chance came.

When Quincy finally walked across that stage in May 2025, Lakers jersey under the gown, it was more than just a personal win. It was a family victory, a trophy for every sacrifice and late-night pep talk. Quincy said it himself—every milestone, from his NBA deal to his diplomas, belongs to his parents as much as to him. “Now that I’m here, when that day comes and I’m able to repay them, it definitely will be worth the 19 years. I’ve been playing since I was four. So, the 19 years of headache and sacrifice,” he said.

So yeah, Quincy Olivari’s story isn’t just about buckets and contracts. It’s about what happens when raw talent meets a family that won’t quit. Every buzzer-beater, every cap and gown, every sneaker deal—they’re all shared wins with the real MVPs sitting courtside, his folks, Gerald and Courtney.