Who was Steph Curry's idol?

Steph Curry’s Shooting Inspiration: The Reggie Miller Legacy

Long before Stephen Curry shattered three-point records and redefined what’s possible from beyond the arc, he was just a kid mesmerized by the sharpshooters who came before him. Among them, one name stands out: Reggie Miller. Curry has often spoken about Miller’s influence, not just as a scorer, but as a pioneer of the deep, clutch shot that now defines modern basketball.

Miller, known for his icy demeanor and lethal accuracy, carved out a Hall of Fame career with the Indiana Pacers, finishing as one of the NBA’s all-time leaders in three-pointers made—a title he held until Curry surpassed him. But it wasn’t just the numbers that inspired Curry; it was the flair, the fearlessness, and the way Miller could silence a crowd with a quick flick of the wrist.

“I grew up watching Reggie,” Curry once said. “The way he moved without the ball, his footwork, his confidence—especially in big moments—that stuck with me.” It’s a passing of the torch that transcends eras. Miller’s signature pull-up, high-arcing threes live on in Curry’s game, albeit with even greater range and frequency.

What’s remarkable is how Curry’s admiration highlights a deeper thread in basketball history—how legends inspire future legends. Miller may not have won an NBA title, but his impact echoes in the way the game is played today, especially in the fluid, three-point barrage pioneered by players like Curry. The torch was passed not through direct mentorship, but through highlight reels, late-night practice sessions, and the quiet study of greatness.

So when you watch Curry drain yet another improbable shot, remember: behind every flick of the wrist is a childhood idol who proved that shooters aren’t just born—they’re inspired.