Point guard Stephen Curry, 36, of the NBA's Golden State Warriors and the US national team, commented on the Americans' victory in the men's Olympic basketball tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“It’s something special. When we won our last championship, I knew this was coming – the next goal that would inspire me… For me to get the gold medal, it’s just crazy. And I thank God for the opportunity,” said an elated Curry.
The veteran floor general played a pivotal role in Team USA's gold medal victory, putting on a virtuoso performance in the final against France. Curry played 29 minutes and 37 seconds, scoring 24 points on 8-of-15 shooting, dishing out 5 assists, grabbing 1 rebound and swiping 2 steals.
“Steph was the driving force that kept us going throughout the tournament,” praised U.S. head coach Gregg Popovich. “When the pressure was on in the most important moments, he stepped up and made the plays that allowed us to win gold. That’s what distinguishes the all-time greats: the ability to elevate your game to another level when it matters most.”
For Curry, winning the Olympic title completes a rare career Grand Slam in basketball. He is now one of four players to have won an NBA championship, the NBA MVP award, the FIBA World Cup and the Olympic gold medal. Other members of that exclusive club are David Robinson, Shaquille O'Neal and Kevin Durant.
“This is the final piece of the puzzle for me,” Curry said. “I’ve accomplished so much in this sport, but winning that Olympic gold medal was always the one thing that was missing. To be able to add that to my resume, along with the other accomplishments, is just surreal.”
Curry’s teammates have praised his leadership and legendary competitive spirit throughout the tournament. “Steph is the beating heart of this team,” Jayson Tatum said. “He sets the tone for us with his intensity, his will to win and his ability to make everyone around him better. We all try to feed off his energy and compete at the same level that he does.”
With the Olympic triumph now assured, the focus shifts to Curry's pursuit of more NBA championships with the Warriors. At an age when most players are ending their careers, the ageless fool continues to defy time and play at an elite level.
“I feel as good as I’ve ever felt, both physically and mentally,” Curry said. “I still have a lot left in the tank, and I’m hungrier than ever to continue to build on my legacy. This gold medal only inspired me to work even harder and continue to push the boundaries of what I can accomplish.”
The 2024 Olympics may have marked the pinnacle of Curry's international career, but it's clear he has no intention of slowing down on the NBA stage anytime soon. The hunt for titles and personal accolades continues, fueled by an insatiable competitive fire that shows no signs of extinguishing.
