Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry is preparing to lead his squad on a playoff push in the Western Conference. But the two-time MVP is taking on additional responsibility as the assistant general manager for Davidson College’s basketball teams.
Curry is the first active player to take on such a role.
The general manager position is relatively new to college sports. The rapidly growing name, image and likeness landscape requires top athletic departments to fill the role for fundraising, advisory and branding purposes.
Curry and his wife, Ayesha, are joining several Davidson alums to create an eight-figure booster fund for the small North Carolina school.
“My journey from when I got to Davidson in 2006 to now demonstrated that I had the opportunity to play basketball at the highest level, got a great education, an amazing network through the Davidson alumni and continue to wave the Davidson flag,” Curry said. “I want very talented, high-character student-athletes to have that same experience.”
The four-time NBA champion is expected to leverage his connections with Maryland-based Under Armour in the new role.
“Our ability to be a resource and a sounding board for the program, but also support each student athlete, to develop personal relationships with each of them to help guide them every step of the way through their Davidson experience,” Curry said.
The news surprised NBA fans, who saw it as an omen. Could Curry’s historic NBA career be coming to an end?
“Curry fixing to retire from the NBA,” one fan wrote on X.
The 11-time All-Star has shrugged off retirement rumors this season, though.
“I’m not at the farewell yet,” Curry, who turns 37 on Friday, told the San Francisco Standard last month. “That’s just part of the time. If you’re fighting human nature or fighting the inevitable in that, then I don’t think you’re handling it right.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr doesn’t expect Curry to miss games and start scouting players around the country.
“I’m wondering is he going to clean house? Is he going in there and firing everybody? I don’t know, we’ll see, he’s got a big job on his hands,” Kerr joked Monday. “I think he’s kind of busy so I’m hoping it’s a ceremonial role more than anything. If he asks me if he can leave and not play a game so he can go scout some college games, I’m probably going to say no, although it is Steph Curry so I’ll probably say yes actually. But I hope he does not ask.”
• This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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