After averaging 19.1 points in college, Quincy Olivari didn’t get his name called on draft night. However, the Lakers gave him an opportunity with an Exhibit 10 deal. From there began the process of emulating his idol, Stephen Curry. Although, he didn’t know it would land him an opportunity to speak with the Baby Face Assassin. “I used to want to be like him so badly,” he said with his voice trembling as he reflected on celebrating Curry since the sixth grade.

Much like Curry, Olivari needed to make his mark rather than have it handed to him. AT 6’2″, he was undersized yet a dazzling college scorer. With a limited time to prove himself, his astonishing preseason performance saw the Purple and Gold offer him a two-way contract. It’s been three weeks since he joined the South Bay Lakers and also spent time with the senior team acclimating himself to the NBA life.

As far as his personality goes, Olivari is cheerful and always smiling. JJ Redick found his radiating energy to be “infectious”. But what about his Laker teammates? “I mean they kind of make jokes. As you see I have my Under Armours on my feet. They kinda joke that I think I’m Stephen Curry,” he said with a brightening expression on his face.

Olivari also revealed that there are “boxes” of gear from the $4.6 billion company constantly arriving in his locker room. However, even though he has essentially had his dream moment, Olivari remains grounded and lets his teammates know the same. “I just try to remind them that none of that really matters to me because at the end of the day, I have to lace my shoes up and go produce,” said the 23-year-old.

The one sneaker that will always matter to Quincy Olivari

Olivari had already swooned JJ Redick with his pressurizing performance against the Milwaukee Bucks in preseason. However, his defining game came against the Golden State Warriors. In the last preseason clash, the Lakers might have been embarrassed, but Olivari was the bright spot.

He scored 22 points in 39 minutes, connecting on five triples and showcasing his diverse scoring arsenal. And after the game, he saw Stephen Curry. They shared a wholesome conversation, with the 23-year-old Lakers guard sharing his admiration of the NBA’s three-point king. “Pleasure bro. Appreciate you being a real one and letting me know the history!!,” Curry responded to his Instagram post of their picture together.

Listening to his story though may have touched Curry. In his emotional press conference, Olivari revealed the one invaluable gift the two-time league MVP left him with. “Just be able to meet him and be able to have some respect for me, and then for us to talk in the back, he gave me a pair of his shoes and signed them. That meant the world to me,” Quincy Olivari detailed.

Now, Olivari will hope to repeat his preseason success in the NBA’s G-League to hopefully be called up b the Lakers. Under his contract, the rookie can appear in 50 regular season games. Considering the impact he had as part of Redick’s high octane system, great G-League showings with the South Bay Lakers could spring him to playing alongside the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Then who knows, maybe he will face off against his idol Stephen Curry for the first time. Do you think Olivari will play for the Lakers this season? Let us know your views in the comments below.