On a sun-drenched afternoon at the Stanford Golf Course, Stephen Curry puffed on a cigar, swung his club with precision, and radiated an effortless calm. At 37, the Golden State Warriors superstar appeared carefree, but don’t let the relaxed vibe fool you—Curry’s plate is as full as ever, both on and off the court.
Wednesday’s charity fundraiser for his Eat. Learn. Play. foundation was a star-studded affair, with NFL legends like Steve Young and Peyton Manning joining the mix, alongside Curry’s new business partner, Google. Amid the laughter and clinking glasses, Curry paused to pose with a bottle of his Gentleman’s Cut bourbon, a nod to his growing portfolio of ventures. But for the four-time NBA champion, balancing his basketball legacy with his off-court ambitions isn’t as simple as it might seem.
“You’d think it gets easier with age, but it might actually be harder,” Curry admitted with a smile. “The main thing is still getting everything I can out of basketball. But with partnerships like Google, Workday, and the impact we’re making with Eat. Learn. Play., every minute is still just 60 seconds.” With the Warriors’ season tipping off against the Lakers on October 21, Curry’s focus remains sharp, but his vision extends far beyond the hardwood.
When it comes to the upcoming NBA season, Curry isn’t sweating the details. The Warriors have yet to make free-agent splashes, but the third-team All-NBA guard isn’t losing sleep over the roster or the grueling 82-game schedule. “You don’t want to get too ahead of yourself,” he said. Instead, he’s already circled a few dates on the calendar—not for marquee matchups, but for family. “Charlotte and Toronto in late December, that’s when I get to see my people,” he said, his voice warm with anticipation. “Other than that, I’m just grateful to be playing my 17th year. It’s kind of wild to think about.”
Fresh off a season where he led the Warriors to the second round of the playoffs, Curry’s passion for basketball remains undeniable. Yet, at Wednesday’s event, surrounded by former teammate Andre Iguodala and current assistant coach Bruce Fraser, his focus was squarely on his foundation’s mission. Eat. Learn. Play. has raised an impressive $8.7 million over the past five years, funding meals, literacy resources, and vibrant play spaces for kids in the Oakland Unified School District. This year, CEO Chris Helfrich revealed an ambitious goal: to raise over $20 million.
For Curry, the mission is deeply personal. “We’ve planted our flag in Oakland,” he said proudly. “This community has had our back since ‘09, and we’re committed to giving back.” Unlike many celebrity-driven initiatives with national aspirations, Eat. Learn. Play. is laser-focused on Oakland, with no plans to expand elsewhere in the Bay Area. It’s a deliberate choice, rooted in loyalty to the city that’s been home to the Warriors—and to Curry’s heart—for over a decade.
As he mingled with golf buddies and philanthropists, Curry wasn’t chasing another NBA title in that moment. He was chasing something bigger: a legacy that transforms lives in Oakland, one meal, one book, one playground at a time. So, don’t ask Steph Curry about his next ring. Ask him about the future he’s building for Oakland’s kids. That’s the game plan that truly lights him up.