close
close

Quincy Olivari's emotional Steph Curry moment shows how the NBA's stars still shine

SAN FRANCISCO – Quincy Olivari couldn’t contain his awe. The significance of what happened to him tonight at Chase Center became clearer to him as he talked about it.

He met Steph Curry. He spoke to Steph Curry. He was encouraged by Steph Curry.

The symbolism of the moment he shared with someone he holds in such high regard was such an accomplishment that it moved him to tears. It didn't matter that it was recorded. It didn't matter that millions would see it.

It didn't even matter that he was a Los Angeles Laker.

Olivari organically adhered to an age-old principle that many claim was lost to his generation: Give credit to whom credit is due.

“It's crazy because I've liked him since I was in sixth grade,” rookie Olivari said of Curry, the Golden State Warriors star entering his 16th NBA season. Then he exhaled deeply and wiped his forehead, his only defense against the surging emotions.

“This is my favorite player ever. … I had his jersey. He signed it twice. I slept under that jersey.”

What does it take to make an athlete's emotions swell so much that their voice trembles?

What overwhelms a professional so much that – despite all his determination, all his resilience, every ounce of what it took to become a professional – he can't resist tears.

Inspiration was enough on Friday evening at the Chase Center.

Go deeper

The NBA preseason is over. What were the best and worst moments? Who stood out?

On a night when LeBron James' son played his best game of the preseason, Olivari used his tears to paint a portrait of how the NBA's greatest legends circled the block. Moments like this are possible because of Curry's continued greatness, because of LeBron's rebellion against physical norms.

Curry, whose Olympic exploits are still fresh, is far from finished. But he's been at the top long enough to see the fruits of his work in the most powerful way. With the high school students in his camp. In its franchise it grew to become one of the largest in the world. In one child – one of the millions of teenagers Curry devotedly signs autographs to as part of his ritual before and after games, at home and on the road – he makes it to the NBA.

In the age of brand saturation, self-proclaimed influencers and made-up auras, real superstars still have real impact. The intangible benefits of sport are still impressive.

It would be a waste to take for granted the specialness of Curry and James, as well as the league's era of more than 30 stars still working. One day they will be gone, replaced by a new generation of worship magnets. But we shouldn't miss the fact that they are still here. Still elite. Still delivers.

Stephen Curry and Quincy Olivari


“That’s my favorite player ever,” Quincy Olivari said of Steph Curry. “I had his jersey. He signed it twice. I slept under that jersey.” (Noah Graham / NBAE via Getty Images)

This everyday pre-season Friday night began with James wearing a cream Liverpool FC tracksuit and a bucket hat, watching his eldest son start for the Lakers. The evening ended with Curry, wearing a gray tracksuit with his own logo, chatting with Olivari in the locker room and signing a pair of shoes to commemorate the moment. Just the latest example of how the NBA's two biggest stars have survived the usual superstar life cycle so far.

Olivari went undrafted by Xavier and gave everything he could to stay with the Lakers. You can imagine what the 23-year-old from Atlanta has invested to even make it this far. You can imagine the hardships he went through and the doubts he overcame.

And on Friday night, he was on the same court where Steph Curry plies his trade, standing eye-to-eye with the player he's long admired. It confirmed the heart and soul he has put into this cause, the progress he has made, and the faith that has been at his core since childhood.

“To get to know him,” Olivari said, “and that he had some respect for me… that meant the world to me.” My father knows it. My mother knows.”

The 6-3 guard impressed in his final audition. He scored 22 points on 8 of 16 shooting, including 5 of 9 from 3-point range and seven rebounds. He hadn't even had a chance to overcome his seven turnovers, as you know someone trying to improve the team might do. Hours later, those sales still didn't matter. Because on Saturday morning he signed a two-way contract with the Lakers – a heartwarming story that explains why people love sports.

But before he saw a box score, he saw his GOAT. Before he could sit at his locker and relive his achievement in his head, he relived his journey since childhood. From meeting Curry as a child to meeting him as a professional.

Because curry is still there and always relevant. And Olivari's bond with his favorite player can find a new moment to enjoy. Joining the Lakers could give him the special privilege of competing against Curry in the NBA. And if Olivari is really lucky, he can say he's gone from sleeping on Curry's jersey to saying “night, night.”

The Athletic maintains full editorial independence in all of its coverage. If you click on or make purchases through our links, we may receive a commission.

(Top photo of Stephen Curry and Quincy Olivari chatting after Friday's game: Noah Graham / NBAE via Getty Images)

You may also like...