‘An inspiration’: Davidson College honors Charlotte-native Stephen Curry in ceremony

DAVIDSON, N.C. — NBA superstar Stephen Curry received three long-awaited accolades from his alma mater on Wednesday.

Davidson College honored the two-time NBA MVP and four-time NBA champion at the “Curry for 3″ ceremony.

Curry formally received his diploma from the college after officially graduating this past May. He was also inducted into the Davidson Athletics Hall of Fame and had his famous No. 30 jersey retired by the school. His jersey was the first jersey number in Davidson College history to be retired.

“Everybody sees the polished, finished products. I got to run my own race, my unique journey,” Curry said.

The NBA star told Channel 9 that this was 13 years in the making. Specifically, coming back to earn his college degree, which was something he said he promised his coach, wife and mother.

“Son, take a moment. Hug your wife, children, yourself. (It’s) OK to say you’re proud of yourself,” his mother Sonya Curry said.

[ PREVIOUS COVERAGE: NBA star Stephen Curry earns degree from Davidson College ]

Curry, a graduate of Charlotte Christian School and the son of Charlotte Hornet’s announcer Dell Curry, attended Davidson for three years from 2006 to 2009.

His time at the school included leading Davidson men’s basketball on a miracle run to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in 2008. He has continued to be an active donor to the team and the college.

In 2015, the school said Curry’s number 30 wouldn’t be retired and hung in the rafters until he earned his degree.

Curry earned his diploma 13 years after leaving college a year early to pursue a professional basketball career. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in sociology.

“The truth is, he has been an inspiration on me -- character, generosity, spirit, his heart,” his father Dell Curry said.

NBA star Stephen Curry receives 3 long-awaited accolades from Davidson College NBA star Stephen Curry receives 3 long-awaited accolades from Davidson College. (WSOC)

It’s hard to deny the impact Curry continues to have on the court, though his impact at Davidson might be even greater. Davidson fans, supporters and former staff members all attended to celebrate their resident superstar.

“He’s not only a wonderful ball player but a wonderful individual, and he did great things for Davidson -- and still is,” said retired staff member Harriet Kessler.

[ ALSO READ: Davidson College won't retire Curry's jersey until he earns degree ]

Curry was the seventh overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors. He’s gone on to win four NBA Championships and two league Most Valuable Player awards among a laundry list of other accolades.

“Stephen Curry has on many occasions emphasized the importance of education, how much he valued his Davidson College experience and that he is committed to earning his degree,” a statement from the college said earlier this year. “He needed to complete one semester of classwork. He re-enrolled at Davidson College for the spring semester and worked with two members of the Davidson faculty, a Stanford University professor and a UC Santa Cruz professor who taught Stephen when both were at Davidson.”

On Wednesday, Curry said he is far from done and that everything that played out is just motivating him to do even more. He also joked that he was a little confused if he’s with the Class of 2010 or 2022, but he finally settled on the Davidson Class of 2010.

(WATCH BELOW: Davidson coach, community celebrate Steph Curry and NBA championship)

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