New Documentary ‘Underrated’ to Highlight Stephen Curry’s Davidson Years
August 12, 2021
- Author
- Mary Elizabeth DeAngelis
In his first year on the Davidson College Men’s Basketball Team, sharpshooting point guard Stephen Curry turned heads. By his sophomore, Curry was a star. Now, he’s credited as one of the best shooters in NBA history.
Golden State Warrior Stephen Curry plans to star in a documentary about his days at Davidson College, where he led the Wildcats to the top tier of men’s basketball before becoming an NBA great.
The documentary, Underrated, will spotlight Curry’s cinematic leap to college basketball All-American and Davidson’s unexpected run to the NCAA’s Elite Eight in 2008.
Indie film company A24 and filmmaker Ryan Coogler (“Black Panther” and “Creed”) will produce the documentary in conjunction with Unanimous Media, Curry’s production company.
The film will extend beyond basketball to Curry’s life as a student in the class of 2010 balancing athletics, academics and campus activities. The college already provided video footage and archival material from that time, and filmmakers plan to visit Davidson to shoot fresh scenes.
No release date has been set.
The film will fill a frequent gap in stories about Curry that toss a quick reference to Davidson and move on to his NBA rocket ride. Curry, though, often talks about how his Wildcat years shaped him on and off the court.
“He’s a great player and an even better person,” Davidson Athletic Director and fellow alum Chris Clunie said. “He’s such an outstanding representative of our core values, such a great leader who’s incredibly committed to helping and serving the community.”
Clunie was present at the beginning, a senior and basketball player when he first met Curry. The then-high school senior came to tour campus for an official visit and played a pickup game with the team. Clunie smiles ruefully at the memory of reporting back that Curry “should be good” for the team.
Curry led the Wildcats to the Elite Eight and moved on to three NBA titles and two MVP awards with the Warriors.
Curry often praises Head Men’s Basketball Coach Bob McKillop’s guidance, and the two maintain a close friendship.
“He talked about building the man on and off the court,” Curry said previously, “and helping me reach my full potential.”
McKillop first met Curry when he was on the same little league baseball team as McKillop’s son, Brendan, a 2011 Davidson graduate. McKillop said he marveled at “Curry’s athletic grace and elegance—he reminded me of Derek Jeter.”
A few years later, when other bigger college basketball programs overlooked a small and slightly built Curry, McKillop recruited him. McKillop said Curry’s work ethic, leadership, moral compass and continuing journey to keep improving, personally and professionally, made him an ideal pick.
“I was not taking a gamble. I knew he had that special gift—that ‘it’’’ McKillop says. “If there was ever anybody who checked all the boxes we looked to have checked, on and off the court, it was Stephen Curry.”
Curry, Peter Nicks and Unanimous Media’s Erick Peyton will serve as producers. Nicks, an Emmy and Sundance Award winner, is directing the documentary.
