Davidson Coach Bob McKillop was emotional as he spoke Thursday. (Tim Cowie photo)
By LAURIE DENNIS and DAVID BORAKS
“Should I stay or should I go now?”
Those lyrics by the Clash have been the pressing question for Davidson College basketball sensation Stephen Curry as he has struggled over the last three weeks to decide whether to stay in college for his senior year or enter the NBA draft.
At a press conference Thursday, with his coach, Bob McKillop, at his side and his parents, high school coach and college teammates in the audience, the Wildcat junior announced he will skip his senior year and follow a lifelong dream to play as a professional in the National Basketball Association.
“He is someone who’s going to be wearing Davidson on his heart the rest of his career, even if it won’t be on his sleeve.”
Jim Murphy
Davidson College Athletic Director
He called it a “difficult decision” that was not impacted by financial consideration, but a decision with which he was “at peace.” (More about how Mr. Curry arrived at his decision in our Letter from the Editor column, “Curry finally at peace after a tough few weeks.”)
Stephen Curry, pictured here at a game against South Carolina in March, has announced his plans for next year.
When asked when he had finally made up his mind, Mr. Curry answered, “One and a half hours ago, when I ate my omelet at Commons.”
The press conference, at the Baker Sports Complex classroom, lasted only 10 minutes. Not far away in the College Union, students and college staff watched on a big screen television set up in the 900 Room.
As more than 50 reporters recorded the scene and scribbled notes, Coach McKillop and his star player of the past three years were both visibly moved, the coach biting his lip, the player looking down at his hands. The room had an eerie silence, which Coach McKillop compared to a funeral.
“But we also have a tremendous balance in life,” the coach said. “There’s a celebration here, a celebration of what this young man represents. And we’re just thrilled for this opportunity for him.”
“Are we gonna miss him? Absolutely. I personally am going to miss him – more as a student than any other way – because he’s been such a tremendous addition to our campus.”Tom Ross |
Coach McKillop praised his player as a person and as an athlete, while Mr. Curry praised Davidson College and thanked his coaches and teammates for their support.
Mr. Curry said he has not yet hired an agent, but expects to go “in the 7-20 range” in the NBA draft. The 2009 draft will be held on Thursday, June 25, at The WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Some wonder if Mr. Curry might stay close to home. The Charlotte Bobcats will likely have the No. 12 pick in the first round of the draft.
The 6-foot, 3-inch guard led the nation in scoring this past season, garnering a variety of post-season awards, including selection to several All America teams. In the 2008 March Madness, he led his team to the NCAA “Elite 8.” Mr. Curry is a Charlotte native who graduated from Charlotte Christian. He is a sociology major at Davidson.
COACH: ‘I’VE BEEN FORTUNATE’
As the press conference wound to an end, a reporter asked Coach McKillop for his thoughts.
“I think if we opened this up and made it a campus wide event, I don’t think we’d be having classes right now,” Coach McKillop said, referring to Curry’s popularity on campus. “He’s become the face of college basketball, he’s become the face of Davidson basketball. As special as he has been to us, he will be equally special in the NBA.”
NBA-bound Curry (Tim Cowie photo)
After a long pause, during which the coach visibly struggled to keep control of his voice, he added, “I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have this opportunity to coach him for these three years.”
In an interview after the press conference, Mr. Curry elaborated on his own emotional turmoil over whether to leave college.
“I’m ingrained in this program, that’s what made this whole decision difficult for me, the idea of leaving my teammates and the coaching staff, and the family that I’ve been a part of for three years,” he said. “It’s gonna take a while to actually realize what that actually means. But the plus side is I have a great opportunity.”
“As special as he has been to us, he will be equally special in the NBA.”Bob McKillop |
REACTIONS
Mr. Curry’s roommate and fellow team member Bryant Barr had nothing but support for the decision to enter the pro draft.
“I’m really excited for him,” said Mr. Barr. “He’s got a great opportunity in front of him. I think the people that really care about him, are excited for this opportunity. We support him 100 percent in his decision.”
Junior Will Archambault, another starting lineup teammate, said the Wildcats will have adjust to the loss of their lead player.
“It’s gonna be real tough, but it’s a great opportunity for Steph,” said Mr. Archambault. “The NBA is every kid’s dream and he had the opportunity this year and he took it.”
Tom Ross, president of Davidson College, expressed “mixed feelings.”
“I’m very proud of Steph,” Mr. Ross said. “He’s such a fine person. He’s gonna be a credit to Davidson College whether he’s here or in the NBA. For an institution like Davidson to produce somebody like him — he’s just a great basketball player. He’s a great role model. It’s something we’re very, very proud of.”
HE’LL REPRESENT DAVIDSON IN NBA
Athletic Director Jim Murphy echoed President Ross. “I think it’s hard to look at the decision and not be selfish about it,” Mr. Murphy said. “So, selfishly, it’s tough, because we’ve enjoyed so much what Steph has brought to our basketball program.”
He added that he understands Mr. Curry’s desire to chase his NBA dream.
“At the same time, he is someone who’s going to be wearing Davidson on his heart the rest of his career, even if it won’t be on his sleeve. He will still represent Davidson College in the NBA, and that’s not an easy thing to do. It’s another opportunity to tell the Davidson story on a very different stage.”
Mr. Murphy called Thursday one of the “greatest days in Davidson College athletics.”
Giving the last word to Davidson College President Tom Ross: “Are we gonna miss him? Absolutely,” said President Ross. “I personally am going to miss him – more as a student than any other way – because he’s been such a tremendous addition to our campus.”
RELATED LINKS
April 23, 2009, listen to an audio recording of the press conference, on DavidsonNews.net
April 24, 2009, read and hear interviews with Curry’s teammates Bryant Barr and Will Archambault as well as Davidson College officials, “Voices: Teammates wish Curry well, look to the future.”
DavidsonWildcats.com, the official Davidson basketball website.
Stephen Curry’s biography, from Davidson College sports information (Adobe PDF).
