“Took his mother's genes” – Sonya Curry revealed how Stephen Curry's passion for basketball almost defied a doctor's prediction about his NBA future at birth

From the moment Stephen Curry was born, expectations swirled around him. Doctors noticed his unusually large hands and feet for a newborn and, knowing his father Dell Curry 's basketball background, believed the NBA could be in his future. But his path to basketball greatness was far from a straight line. Curry’s mom, Sonya Curry , revealed astonishing details of the Golden State Warriors legend’s path to basketball and when she almost believed that he took her genes.

Sonya Curry details Stephen Curry’s path to basketball from his childhood

As Stephen Curry grew up, he didn’t exactly look the part of a future superstar. By the time he was 12, he was wearing size 12.5 shoes, but lacked the physical coordination to match. He ran awkwardly on the court, his large feet flopping as he struggled to keep pace with other kids. His mother, Sonya Curry, recalled watching him play and wondering how this lanky, slow-moving boy could ever turn into a college-level athlete, let alone an NBA player.

“When Stephen was born, you know, the doctor saw his hands and his feet long and they knew his dad played basketball and they're like he's got to play in the NBA. Then, between when he was born and probably till he was about 16, he kind of took his mother's jeans, and so I was like, ‘uh here's a 12-year-old boy out here with a size 12 and a half 13 shoe and running up and down the court slow,’” Sonya said appearing in SWAY'S UNIVERSE podcast.


She continued, “I don't know what and feet flopping and hitting his uh and I'm like dear Lord you cannot leave my child like this like this this can't happen he's got to grow.”

Despite those early physical setbacks, there was always something special about Stephen. Friends, family members, and even casual acquaintances noticed it from a young age. He had a calm, kind, and warm presence that made him stand out in any room. He wasn't just a polite child— he had an energy that naturally drew people in. Even before his skills sharpened, people sensed that he was different in a way they couldn't quite explain.

“Seeing him knowing his aspiration at the time was just to play D1 basketball and so um knowing he was smart enough knowing that there is something about this child,” Sonya shared. “Everyone he met him even when he was a little kid all the family members was like he's unique, he was just sweet kind gentle, he just kind of flowed into environments and into people very like cuddly and loving and just different, you know”

Stephen’s dream at the time was to play Division 1 college basketball. His parents knew he had the intelligence and mindset to achieve big things. More importantly, they saw firsthand how committed he was. The Currys gave priorities on hard work at home, setting the example through their own actions.

“Watching him actually work hard actually, that's what's common. All of these celebrities when we talk to the parents, we were behind them to work hard, we set the example of what working hard meant and modeled it, but we were there to encourage and them as they worked hard uh as well,” Sonya added.

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As Stephen matured, he followed their lead, putting in the hours, staying focused, and chasing his dream with quiet determination. His rise wasn’t overnight, but it was built on years of discipline, support, and belief in himself when others doubted. Now, Stephen is one of the greatest basketball stars, even surpassing the legacy of his father.