#HOTDOCS: “STEPHEN CURRY: UNDERRATED”

By Amanda Gilmore

Who would’ve thought that one of the year’s most inspirational underdog stories would come from one of the most prominent Point Guards in the NBA?

If you’re like me and only know Steph Curry post-NBA Draft and as the star player of the Golden State Warriors, then you probably wouldn’t have seen this one coming either. Director Peter Nicks tracks the Basketball star’s rise from his passion for the sport, to his time on the Davidson College basketball team, to the struggles he’s faced while with the Golden State Warriors and his long journey to finally attaining his college degree — 13 years after leaving Davidson a year early for the NBA.

Nicks’ primary focus in this documentary is showing the lifelong impact Davidson College has had on Steph. It’s endearing to see Steph get into his Wildcats merchandise and cheer on the current team. And how fondly he speaks about Davidson Coach Bob McKillop who saw potential in him when the world believed he was too small. Nicks edits between games with the Golden State Warriors and then the Davidson Wildcats. It’s clear Steph still uses what he learned there to succeed and take Championships.

As Nick follows Steph in Underrated, he’s still working toward one thing — his Davidson Degree. He’s been working toward completing his degree since he left, but his professional life always halted the process. There are many moments in this documentary that make Steph relatable. The fact that he was underestimated due to his size, then made it to the NCAA with Davidson. The fact that he’s been spoken about as past his prime then wins a Championship and MVP. Yet, it’s the moments he has on Zoom with his professor and working on his thesis that we forget he’s Basketball royalty.

If you’re a massive fan of the player or have been tracking his career since his time at Davidson you’ll probably know this inspiring story well. Yet, Stephen Curry: Underrated does more than simply tell the man’s story. It creates a fire within you to never give up on yourself.

Stephen Curry: Underrated screens at Hot Docs ’23:

Sat, Apr 29 at 6:15PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox 1

Fri, May 5 at 9:15PM at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema

Sat, May 6 at 3:30PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox 1