Quincy Oliviari is not done making his dreams come true.
After going undrafted in April, the 6-foot-3 guard left it all on the floor in the 2024 NBA preseason to land a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Less than two months later, he signed a shoe endorsement deal with Curry Brand, the Under Armour sportswear line of Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry who just happens to be the former Rice and Xavier standout’s childhood hero.
Olivari showed how much he idolized Curry the night before Los Angeles officially handed him one of its two-way spots. The Lakers faced the Warriors in their last preseason game on October 18, which the talented scorer finished with a team-high 22 points and seven rebounds.
After the clash, Curry approached Olivari. The four-time NBA champion told him he likes his game. The two dapped up and took a picture together. A few moments later, Olivari had to choke back tears when asked about the encounter in his postgame press conference.
“It’s crazy because I’ve liked him since I was in sixth grade… I don’t even know what to say, man,” the Lakers said, his voice cracking. “Thats my favorite player ever. … I had his jersey. He signed it twice. I used to sleep under that jersey. I just want to be like him so bad.”
Apparently, during their postgame chat, Olivari also showed Curry a video of the Warriors star signing the very jersey that helped him fall asleep back in the day, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported. Seemingly touched, the Warriors legend then handed him a pair of autographed sneakers from Curry Brand the same label Olivari will now be promoting himself.
The Lakers guard has become only the second active NBA player to team up with Curry’s Under Armour venture, joining Sacramento Kings star De’Aaron Fox among its ambassadors, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. That full-circle moment wouldn’t have come if not for Olivari’s determination and hustle, though.
The young guard continues to shine for Los Angeles in the G League, averaging 21.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists for the South Bay Lakers. He’s also emerged as one of the 3-point shooters in the NBA’s developmental league, knocking down 41.3 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc.
“It honestly looked like he was too good for being out there, respectfully,” Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell said after watching Olivari’s 28-point explosion in the G League opener, a 110-96 win over the Salt Lake City Stars.
Olivari’s ascent looks only set to continue. His talent is evident. And, he has the right mentality to make the most of it as his reaction to the Curry Brand deal showed. “God thank you so much for these blessings youve bestowed upon me,” the Lakers rookie wrote on X.
“A shoe deal, wow.”
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