One of the greatest NBA basketball players ever, Stephen Curry is renowned for both his skills on the floor and his stellar academic record. Curry studied Sociology while honing his basketball abilities at Davidson College during his collegiate years. The Chef worked on his college thesis, an intellectually challenging project that was a part of his academic career.

The remarkable once-in-a-generation player had unique priorities compared to most teenagers. He passionately pursued his dream of becoming a professional NBA player while also seeking to enrich himself with academic knowledge. This lesser-known facet of the Golden State Warriors star’s life highlights his commitment to both his athletic and intellectual growth.

It all started with mother Sonya Curry

Stephen Curry’s mother, Sonya Curry, openly acknowledged that she had wanted to concentrate on finishing college first in the enlightening Apple TV+ documentary “Underrated”.

When Steph was three years old, Sonya completed her degree because she was determined to be the first person in the family to do so. Despite his success on the basketball court, Curry’s mother yearned for him to appreciate the value of earning his degree before he decided to leave college early for the NBA.

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Since he was the only player under Coach McKillop’s direction who hadn’t graduated, it became a personal challenge for him. But now, Curry recognizes the importance of setting an example for his own children and addressing his responsibilities both on and off the court, which led him to complete his degree.

In 2022, the Dub Nation star finally received his Davidson Sociology degree. It was twelve years later than his expected graduation date, but his family celebrated the achievement just like an NBA championship.

As an 18-year-old kid, Stephen Curry had aspirations of completing college and embarking on a new chapter of his life. However, fate had other plans as he left school early to declare for the NBA draft.

During the historic 2011 NBA lockout, Curry re-enrolled and put in significant effort to earn his degree. He persevered despite challenges.  Eleven years later, despite numerous setbacks, with athletic director Chris Clunie’s help, he fulfilled his academic dream.

Read More: “Profound Effect on Me as a Parent”: Akin to Michael Jordan’s $90,000,000 Movie, Stephen Curry Doc Reveals Special Bond With His Mom, Says Millionaire Producer

Drawing on his life experiences, Curry delved into meaningful topics, exploring the significance of body art and advocating for gender equity in sports in his senior thesis and independent-study project. Completing his coursework with excellence, Curry not only earned his degree but also achieved his best semester in college. As he watched the commencement ceremony virtually, Curry felt a deep sense of accomplishment and gratitude for his experiences at Davidson University.

In the documentary, his mother Sonya expressed her wish to see him graduate: “When Curry decided to declare for the NBA a year early, I wanted him to really understand, how important it was to get his degree.”

“Stephen is the only player who has not gotten their degree under the tutelage of Coach McKillop. So, it has been a thorn in his side for me. And then he’d be like ‘I just won three championships’, and I’m like you’re right, now get the diploma championship.”

Sharing the milestone with his family, Curry expressed his joy in no longer being the “odd one out” and joining his siblings as college graduates.

Why Degree matters for millionaire Curry?

As a father of two young daughters, Curry recognized the disparity in athletic opportunities, where girls are often overlooked compared to boys. He wrote his 24-page senior thesis and a half-hour podcast about improving gender equity in sports.

When Curry’s College professor Dr. Gayle Kaufman asked him, “Is there a particular reason, you wanna do it now?” Curry said, “For one, for my kids to see the process, now that they’re a little older and you know how important this is. But also, I kinda gotta handle everything on the court and off the court. More than I think I ever have and so, trying to not let this drift off, any longer.”

Since Sociology is a discipline that focuses on societal issues, human nature, and interpersonal relationships, Curry researched for his senior thesis in this specialization. Curry made the decision to conduct research on a topic that would challenge him intellectually and progress his academic career despite the demanding schedule he had as a student-athlete.

Curry’s interest in the subject grew further when 9-year-old Riley Morrison wrote to him about the lack of girls’ sizes in his Under Armour shoes. He took action, corrected the issue, and even let Morrison design her own sneaker. This experience became a pivotal part of Curry’s thesis, where he explored how brands like Under Armour can elevate women’s sports using concepts from his Sociology learnings.

The 2022 NBA champion has managed to juggle fatherhood with his demanding career as a basketball player. He sheepishly acknowledges that despite his basketball prowess, his abilities didn’t quite impress his children.

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But by striving to shed light on a significant social issue, Steph’s Sociology thesis has indeed showed his interest in understanding and addressing societal challenges.