In a touching moment following the Milwaukee Bucks’ recent victory over the Golden State Warriors, guard Ryan Rollins received a signed jersey from NBA superstar Steph Curry. The gesture came after Rollins scored a career-high 32 points in the Bucks’ 120-110 win at the Fiserv Forum on October 30.
While some may view Rollins as a rising star emerging from nowhere this season, his journey began with the Warriors, who drafted him in 2022 as the 44th overall pick from Toledo. During his rookie season, he had the opportunity to learn from Curry, sharing close quarters in the locker room as his neighbor.
“That’s my guy,” Rollins expressed after the game, highlighting the mentorship he received from Curry. “He was a great, down-to-earth dude,” he added, recalling the humbling nature of Curry’s encouragement during his developmental year in the league. Rollins plans to proudly display the jersey as a reminder of that impactful connection.
In the game, Rollins showcased shooting talent reminiscent of his mentor, netting an impressive 5-for-7 from three-point range, while also exhibiting strong defensive play against Curry. “It was nice… It was fun just being able to go out there,” Rollins remarked, celebrating the challenge of going head-to-head with Curry during a live match.
Curry, who was just a short distance away, praised Rollins’ performance on the court, acknowledging his impressive growth. After Rollins was traded to the Washington Wizards along with Jordan Poole and Patrick Baldwin Jr. in 2023, Curry expressed his admiration for Rollins’ talent and journey in the league. “I’m happy for him. He’s super-talented and another mid-major guy trying to make his name in the league,” Curry noted.
This exchange underscores the ongoing mentorship and support within the NBA, illustrating how relationships forged in the sport can lead to profound moments of camaraderie and respect, serving as an inspiration for young athletes aiming to carve out their own paths in professional basketball.