Stephen Curry comes from a very basketball-oriented household.
His father, Dell Curry, spent nearly two decades as a professional basketball player. Dell and Steph’s mom, Sonya Curry, met at Virginia Tech where they eventually wed in 1988. The couple eventually expanded their family by welcoming a daughter, Sydel, and two sons, Steph and Seth. However, in August of 2021, after 33 years of marriage, Dell and Sonya announced that they were divorcing.
November 2020: “My mom is an educator, so [giving back] was part of her job,” Stephen told PEOPLE about his mother. “It was staying after school to help kids, chat to their parents, and boost their spirits. She had to put others before herself and give up a lot of time.
Speaking of his father, the Golden State Warriors star said, “My dad, every time he got, he was doing stuff in the community…. He was always present, and it was always significant.
College was where Dell and Sonya first crossed paths.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Sonya met her future husband at a Virginia Tech me𝚗’s basketball practice during her official recruiting visit.
A few years later, after Dell had been drafted into the NBA, the couple relocated to Utah so that he could play for the Utah Jazz.
Dell was a member of the Utah Jazz, Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Toronto Raptors during his time in the NBA (1986-2002). During his time with the Charlotte Hornets, he was a standout point guard.
“I taught my boys the fundamentals of the game and the fundamentals of the shot,” Dell told Reuters in 2020. Being around the game and seeing myself and some of the top players in the world, my teammates, certainly helped to teach them how the pros go about doing things, but ultimately they had to develop their own work ethic and dedication. But they needed to rely on their own self-control and determination.
Among his many accomplishments, he is the all-time top scorer for the Hornets and was elected into the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fаme in 1996, among other honors. The father of three has been a commentator for the Charlotte Hornets on television broadcasts since 2009. He also actively supports his sons’ NBA careers.
Sonya and Dell are proud parents to a trio of children. In 1988, they welcomed their first son, Steph, and in 1990, they welcomed their second, Seth. Sydel was born to them in 1994.
They have six grandchildren, making them grandparents twice over. Seth and his wife, Callie Rivers Currys, have two children, Carter and Cash, while Steph and his wife, Ayesha, have three children, Riley, Ryan, and Canon. In 2021, Sydel and her husband Damion Lee welcomed their first child, a son.
Steph claims that he is a much like his mother.
Steph attributes some of his success to his mother, even though he and his brother Seth may follow in their father’s footsteps by playing in the NBA.
The father of three said in 2013 to SF Gate, “A lot of people sаy whatever defensive abilities I have, I get from her.” My grit and determination.
The NBA champion said, “She’s a strong woman.” She did a fantastic job raising me and my brothers when my dad was on the road a lot for the NBA. The way we turned out is mostly due to her efforts.
Both Dell and Sonya have made charitable contributions.
The couple established their Huntersville, North Carolina preschool, Christian Montessori School of Lake Norman, in 1995. Three years later, Dell founded the Dell Curry Foundation in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a mission to support and empower young people.
The parents in the home serve as the most significant examples. I believe that giving back to the community is an important aspect of being a role model for the children who look up to us. Dell told Reuters, “I’m so proud of my sons for seeing that and continuing that tradition. I’ve always been an advocate of giving back and supporting your community.”
In 2021 they finally broke up.
Dell and Sonya announced their divorce to PEOPLE in August 2021, after being married for 33 years. After a year of trial separation and much deliberation, we have come to the conclusion that it is best to end our marriage. Despite the profound loss we feel, the well-being of our loved ones is our first priority and our wish.
They said, “We are so appreciative of all of our good fortune and achievements!” Our paths will continue to cross as we remain dedicated to and supportive of the next generation. Please keep our family in your prayers and understand the need for privacy as we move forward.
Sonya has penned a piece about how they are parenting
The memoir Fierce Love by a mother of three delves into her experiences as a mother, the strength she found in her faith during difficult times, and her dedication to her children’s education.
When PEOPLE asked Sonya why she penned Fierce Love, she said it was so that “others may find strength and purpose in their own journeys” after reading about her own struggles. The book is scheduled for release in May 2022. I hope to inspire others to “never stop praying, never stop learning, never stop loving, and never stop laughing.”
“My mom was always the one to challenge us growing up,” Seth said in a statement. “Her finest traits are reflected in all of us,” they sаy.
Sydel continued, “I’m so excited for the world to know my mom through her inspiring story. My mother has been the rock of our home.
After Steph and Dell won the 2022 NBA title, they shared a memorable moment together.
Sonya and Dell were present in June of 2022 as their son, now a four-time NBA champion and the 2022 NBA Finals MVP, led the Golden State Warriors to victory over the Boston Celtics.
Before the final buzzer sounded, an emotional Steph embraced his father. To be perfectly honest with you, I had no idea [Dell] was hiding out in the basement,” he said. When I saw him, I completely lost it, and I realized that time was running out. Because it was so extraordinary, all I could do was soak it in.
Every week, Dell follows up with Steph and Seth.
Dell, who is familiar with the demands of the NBA, makes it a point to check in with his sons at least once every week.
In April of 2023, he told PEOPLE, “I watch all their games, whether live or taped, and I try to check in with them every week.”
They talk amongst themselves, but rarely about the basketball.
Dell has stated, “[We] talk about golf and grandkids more than basketball,” and that he says “nothing” to Steph or Seth when their teams are performing poorly. As one player put it, “They’re grown me𝚗, they’ve been in the league long enough to know how this league is — you can’t get too high or too low.”
He went on to sаy, “That’s the fun part of being a dad and a fan and knowing what they’re going through as far as being an NBA player. When you’re going through a hard stretch, it helps to talk about everything but basketball.
