US basketball superstar Stephen Curry is one of the NBA’s most beloved competitors. A member of the Golden State Warriors since 2009, and recruited at just 21 years old, he is one of the top five three-point shooters in the league—surpassing Kobe Bryant and earning him accolades similar to greats like Ray Allen, LeBron James and Reggie Miller. 

Recovering from a sprained knee ligament after the 2016 playoffs, in 2017 we have watched Curry soar higher, shoot better and dribble with more ease than ever before.  He is undeniably one of the best players in the NBA. According to Bleacher Report, some marksmen have even called him the greatest shooter in basketball league history.

Yet despite Curry’s impressive season, after watching him on the court it is clear that he isn’t the strongest player or the fastest. Rather, his strength is his agility; his ability to change direction and establish the perfect three-point position in a matter of seconds.

Ultimately, the key to Curry’s success is his commitment to being a team player. Receiving the Most Valuable Player in the NBA for 2014–15 before winning the 2015 championship (the team’s first in 40 years), he knows his strengths and weaknesses, and where he is lacking his teammates fill the gap.

After Curry actively recruited Kevin Durant in 2016, the duo has become a force to be reckoned with on the court, taking the Warriors all the way to the playoffs. ESPN pointed out that this partnership showed more about Curry’s character than his impressive three-point shots.

“It was a sign that Curry valued championships more than he valued getting credit for them,” it said.

After receiving the MVP award, it was clear that Curry’s humility comes from his deep faith in God, when he said, “People should know who I represent and why I am who I am, and that’s because of my Lord and Saviour.” 

Famously pumping his chest and pointing to God after big gameplays on the court as a reminder of the source of his strength, he also wears the numbers 4:13 on his sneakers, an allusion to the Bible verse, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians chapter four verse 13).

Stephen Curry shows that when we know our gifts come from God, our achievements become less about us and more about him. In turn, we are better able to work with the people around us and celebrate their achievements as well as our own. After all, much like basketball, life is a team sport, right?