Stephen Curry rarely praises himself, even if he is still scoring big. At 37, he’s averaging 26.8 points, defying age and expectation. As the league embraces his three-point revolution, Curry stays humble. Yet recently, the Warriors star opened up, admitting he sees glimpses of himself in another player, someone whose game openly reflects his lasting influence on basketball’s modern era.

Speaking on LeBron James and Steve Nash’s Mind the Game podcast, Curry reflected on his influence, saying, “When Trae Young came into the league and people called him the next me, that was the first time I realized my impact.” He also laughed about the old “you ruined the game” label, calling it more of a misunderstanding than real criticism.

Curry added, “That might have been the first time I actually thought about it, though, because he was a kid that came to one of our games, got to talk to him, next thing, he’s getting drafted, and it’s like, oh, he’s in that. I’m like, well, no, he’s his own player.”

The baby-faced assassin’s view reflects Young‘s own, who previously admitted similarities in their long-range shooting, but added that, “there’s some things about our games that’s different.” However, Curry’s not the only one who’s noticed the ripple effect they’ve had, especially in one particular sphere.

Mark Conrad, director of the sports business program at Fordham University, recently spoke on how Trae Young had anchored a collegiate program from the inside out. Forbes wrote of his interaction with them, “[Trae Young] could help Oklahoma identify talent, mentor young players and balance the egos that come with uneven compensation in a locker room, Conrad contends.”

Stephen Curry had already been exploring this idea earlier in the year. In March, he accepted a role as the general assistant manager at his alma mater, Davidson, where he first made his name. The move made him the first active NBA player to take on such a position, blending his playing career with a return to his roots.

Just one week later, Trae Young followed suit, joining his own alma mater, Oklahoma, which he led through an electrifying freshman season and NCAA tournament run. The timing wasn’t a coincidence, but continuity. Long before Curry had verbalized his realizations about his influence, both of them had put them into practice.

How Stephen Curry and Trae Young are rewriting the college blueprint

Stephen Curry and Trae Young aren’t just using their names to boost their colleges, but actively reshaping how these programs operate. Both stars have stepped into unprecedented administrative roles for active players, giving them some say over recruitment, player development, and overall strategy. And these moves are signaling a shift.

Athletes aren’t just role models, but helping build up the institutions that once shaped them. At Davidson, Curry has already steered multiple initiatives in the athletic department, including setting up an eight-figure fund to support both men’s and women’s basketball programs to help with NIL and athletic development in partnership with his wife, Ayesha, and the Curry Brand. “I want the next generation to have the same foundation I had — maybe even better,” Curry said in a statement.

Young has taken a similar role at Oklahoma, though not entirely the same. He’s working closely with the coaching staff to evaluate prospects and help guide young athletes navigating NIL deals and transfer portal eligibility. He has also committed $1 million to invest in training, support, and infrastructure, and Trae’s leadership is going to provide both inspiration and guidance for players.