A Peek into the Lives of Dell and Sonya Curry: The Story behind Steph Curry’s Amazing Parents

Discover all there is to know about the parents of basketball superstar Steph Curry, from their individual professional journeys to their unwavering support for their talented son.

Stephen Curry comes from a basketball-loving family, with deep ties to the sport. His father, Dell Curry, had a successful career in the NBA that lasted almost twenty years. It was during his time at Virginia Tech that Dell first crossed paths with Sonya Curry, Stephen’s mother. The two fell in love and tied the knot in 1988. Together, they have three children: Stephen, Seth, and Sydel. However, in a surprising turn of events, Dell and Sonya announced their decision to divorce after being married for 33 years.
Stephen has always admired his parents and their dedication to helping others. He mentioned in an interview with PEOPLE in November 2020 that his mother, who works as an educator, always made giving back a part of her job. Whether it was staying late after school to mentor kids or offering guidance to parents, she constantly demonstrated selflessness and made sacrifices of her own time.
Likewise, Stephen spoke highly of his father’s involvement in the community. Dell was always eager to contribute in meaningful ways whenever he had the opportunity. This commitment to making a positive impact left a lasting impression on Stephen.
Now that we’ve covered the background of Stephen Curry’s parents, let’s take a closer look at what the basketball star has said about them throughout the years.

After Sonya’s official trip to Virginia Tech, where she eventually joined the volleyball team, an unexpected encounter took place. She happened to notice her future partner while attending a men’s basketball practice at the university. Fast forward a few years, when Dell was recruited into the NBA, the couple relocated to Utah, where he kickstarted his professional basketball journey as a member of the Utah Jazz. Dell became a prominent player in the NBA.

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From 1986 to 2002, Dell had a successful stint in the NBA, playing for multiple teams such as the Utah Jazz, Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Toronto Raptors. However, his most remarkable tenure was as a star guard for the Charlotte Hornets, where he stayed for an impressive 10 seasons.
In 2020, Dell shared with Reuters that he instilled in his sons the importance of both the game’s fundamentals and mastering the shot. While being exposed to the game and observing him and other exceptional players from around the world was helpful, his sons had to cultivate their own work ethic, dedication, self-discipline, and commitment to truly excel.
Dell’s remarkable achievements include his induction into the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 1996 and his retirement as the all-time leading scorer in the history of the Hornets. Apart from supporting his sons in their NBA careers, the father of three has also been an esteemed commentator for Charlotte Hornets television broadcasts since 2009.
Together, Dell and his wife have raised three children.

Sonya and Dell Sherman have three children together. Their eldest son, Steph, was born in 1988, followed by Seth in 1990. Their daughter Sydel joined the family in 1994.
In addition to their three children, Sonya and Dell are also proud grandparents to six grandchildren. Steph and his wife Ayesha Curry have three children named Riley, Ryan, and Canon. Seth and his wife Callie Rivers Currys are parents to two kids named Carter and Cash. Sydel and her husband Damion Lee recently welcomed their first child, a son, in 2021.
Steph Curry has mentioned that he takes after his mother, Sonya Sherman.

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Despite Steph and Seth’s NBA careers, Steph attributes some of his defensive abilities to his mother.
“I’ve been told that whatever defensive skills I have, I inherited them from her,” the three-time NBA champion said in a 2013 interview with SF Gate. “It’s her strength and determination.”
“She’s an incredible woman,” Steph added about his mother. “Growing up in an NBA household with my dad constantly on the road, she did an amazing job raising me and my siblings. She deserves recognition for how well we turned out.”
Dell and Sonya have been actively involved in their communities
In 1995, the couple founded the Christian Montessori School of Lake Norman, a preschool located in Huntersville, North Carolina. Three years later, Dell established the Dell Curry Foundation, an organization dedicated to the development of youth in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“I believe that parents are the biggest role models in a household. But as professional athletes, all our children are observing how we live our lives, and I think giving back to the community is an essential part of that. I have always advocated for supporting and giving back to one’s community, and I am incredibly proud that my sons continue to carry on that tradition,” Dell shared with Reuters.
They announced their separation in 2021
In August 2021, Dell and Sonya confirmed their separation after being married for 33 years. “After a year of trial separation and careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to end our marriage. Although this brings us great sadness, our primary focus and desire are the ongoing happiness of our family.”
They further expressed, “We are grateful for the many blessings and achievements we have had. We are fully committed to supporting and being there for our children and grandchildren, and our paths will remain intertwined. We kindly request that our privacy be respected and ask for prayers as we navigate this new chapter in our lives.”
Sonya has written about the experience of raising their children.

In May 2022, Sonya, a mother of three, released her memoir called “Fierce Love,” in which she delves into the challenges of raising her family, finding strength in her faith during difficult times, and her deep passion for education. According to Sonya, she wrote the book with the intention of sharing her own journey, her personal testimony, and her experiences in the hopes that others can draw strength and purpose from it. Her ultimate goal is to inspire others to maintain a constant prayer life, live with intention, love unconditionally, and find joy in laughter every day.

Seth, one of Sonya’s children, expressed in a press release that his mother has always been the one to push and challenge them while growing up. He believes that each of them reflects her remarkable qualities in their own unique ways.

Sydel, another one of Sonya’s children, expressed her excitement for readers to get to know their mother through the powerful story she has written. She views her mother as a steadfast and unwavering support for their family.

Furthermore, Steph, Sonya’s husband, shared a special moment with Dell, his father and Sonya’s husband, after winning the NBA Championship in 2022.

In June 2022, after the Golden State Warriors emerged victorious against the Boston Celtics, Sonya and Dell, the proud parents, were right there to embrace their son, Steph, who had just become a four-time NBA champion and was also named MVP of the 2022 NBA Finals.

As the game was coming to an end and the buzzer was about to sound, Steph was overwhelmed by emotions and spontaneously hugged his father, Dell. Reflecting on the moment, he admitted, “Honestly, I didn’t even know he was down there. When I saw him, I couldn’t help it, I just lost it. I knew time was running out, but I wanted to savor that special moment.”

Dell, having experienced the pressures of the NBA himself, understands the challenges his sons face and makes it a point to connect with them at least once a week. “I make sure to watch all their games, whether live or recorded, and I try to catch up with them every week,” he revealed in an interview with PEOPLE in April 2023.

Interestingly, their conversations rarely revolve around basketball. “We mostly talk about golf and our grandkids,” Dell shared, chuckling. He further admitted that when their teams are not performing well, he keeps quiet. “They’re grown men, and they’ve been in the league long enough to understand the ups and downs. I don’t say much about basketball when things aren’t going well for them. Sometimes, being a dad and a fan means discussing everything but the sport during tough times.”

Dell added, “It’s a joy being their father and a fan, especially because I can empathize with their journey as NBA players. There are moments when they just need to talk about anything other than basketball when they’re going through a rough patch.”

Written by Joe Murphy for the NBAE/GETTY

Joe Murphy, a renowned writer and photographer for the NBAE/GETTY, skillfully captured the essence of the story. With his unique style and exceptional talent, he gave a whole new perspective to the content.