This week at the Arrillaga Family Gym in Menlo Park, Stephen Curry hosted his annual Curry Camp, where Davidson College coach Bob McKillop joined as an instructor. McKillop, who coached Curry during his college years, recognized Curry’s potential early on and played a crucial role in nurturing his growth. Curry acknowledged the profound impact his former college coach had on both his basketball career and mental approach to the game.
I truly am thankful that he had that kind of perspective on me when I was getting recruited,
Curry said.
And my favorite line he said was, my mom was like, ‘We’ll put some weight on him before I showed up to campus,’ and he was like, ‘No, we’ll take him just the way he is,’ which is a reflection of his belief in me.
—Stephen Curry, NBA player
Curry credits McKillop for his continued confidence through the challenges of college basketball and the transition to professional play.
And confidence to go through the ups and downs of college and the transition, go from there,
Curry explained.
So, you have to have people that kind of see your potential and instill that in you over time. And he was definitely the greatest at doing that for me.
—Stephen Curry, NBA player
Davidson College’s Early and Unwavering Support During Recruitment
Bob McKillop and Davidson College began pursuing Curry aggressively as early as his 10th grade. Despite limited interest from major college programs, partly due to his slight frame, Curry accepted Davidson’s offer. His remarkable college performance not only validated this decision but established his reputation as a breakthrough star.
During his time at Davidson, Curry led the team to an unexpected Elite Eight appearance in the 2008 NCAA Tournament. They achieved upset victories over Gonzaga, Georgetown, and Wisconsin before falling to eventual champions Kansas, showcasing Curry’s skill and leadership.
Although many expected him to enter the NBA immediately after that standout season, Curry chose to stay at Davidson, culminating in an impressive collegiate career with averages of 25.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.1 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game across three seasons.
Transitioning to NBA Stardom and Lasting Legacy
Stephen Curry’s NBA journey began when the Golden State Warriors selected him seventh overall in the 2009 NBA Draft. Since then, he has risen to become an iconic figure, winning four NBA championships, two MVP awards, two scoring titles, and a Finals MVP trophy. His reputation as the greatest shooter in NBA history is firmly established.
Despite his success, Curry continues to express deep gratitude toward McKillop, crediting the coach’s belief in him during a time when few showed faith. This early encouragement helped build Curry’s self-confidence and work ethic, which remain central to his achievements.
Bob McKillop’s Enduring Commitment to Discipline and Excellence
Although McKillop retired in 2022 after 33 years at Davidson, his passion for coaching and developing young athletes remains strong. At the Curry Camp, he emphasized discipline and dedication in his speech to the campers.
I’m going to hold you accountable,
McKillop declared.
We’re going to spend 90 minutes of accountability. Discipline comes before freedom, and I’m going to make sure you do the details. There will be no shortcuts. I’m going to get in your face, and I’m going to do it for you, not to you.
—Bob McKillop, former Davidson head coach
McKillop also expressed his high expectations for the participants, connecting their potential to his experience with Curry.
You see, I want greatness for you,
he said.
Just like we have greatness for Steph Curry… Repetitions are going to make you better. They’re going to create habits, and that’s what you need: habits. And I’m going to hold you accountable for it.
—Bob McKillop, former Davidson head coach
This message underlines the importance of relentless effort and accountability in reaching the highest levels of achievement, principles that guided Curry’s journey from college to NBA superstardom.
Inspiration for Future Generations at Curry Camp
Through the Curry Camp, Stephen Curry and Bob McKillop are passing down essential lessons to young athletes: talent alone is not enough, and hard work combined with accountability is critical to success. These values echo the foundations that propelled Curry to become one of basketball’s greatest figures.
As Curry continues his career and McKillop remains involved in mentoring, this shared philosophy is expected to inspire many aspiring players, ensuring that the mindset and discipline shaped at Davidson will influence future basketball talents for years to come.