Again on October 18, the Lakers clashed in opposition to the Warriors of their final preseason sport, through which rookie Quincy Oliver ended the match with a team-high 22 factors and seven rebounds. As soon as the competition was over, Stephen Curry approached the proficient scorer and informed him he preferred his sport.
Each gamers then proceded to hug after which take {a photograph} collectively. Just a few moments later, the first-year athlete was interviewed and he discovered himself crying together with his voice cracking when he was requested about his particular encounter with the four-time NBA champion.
“It’s loopy as a result of I’ve preferred him since I used to be in sixth grade… I don’t even know what to say, man,” younger Olivari stated whereas attempting to cover his tears. “That’s my favourite participant ever. … I had his jersey. He signed it twice. I used to sleep beneath that jersey. I simply need to be like him so dangerous.”
Lakers rookie Quincy Olivari, who cried after assembly “hero” Steph Curry, is signing a shoe cope with Curry Model, per @ShamsCharania 🙌
Full circle second 🥹 pic.twitter.com/H8uGaiDzyA
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 6, 2024
A little bit over a month later, ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported that the Los Angeles two-way guard is finalizing an endorsement cope with the Curry Model, which was first launched by the Golden State famous person with Below Armour again in 2020.
This previous weekend, his head coach JJ Redick needed to flip to some new faces as stars LeBron James and Austin Reaves had been out on account of well being points within the newest conflict in opposition to the Path Blazers. A type of gamers was Quincy, who made his NBA debut that Sunday night.
His look quickly turned out to be memorable, as he began within the second quarter with a formidable three-pointer for his first-ever NBA factors. “Numerous prayer, plenty of preparation and plenty of perseverance,” the 23-year-old stated when requested about these buckets.
“Meant quite a bit, particularly to have my dad right here.” he added. “He was the primary particular person to take me to an NBA sport at Phillips Enviornment, sit up within the 300 part. I used to only say I needed to be right here and to have it right here and have him right here, hit a 3. It meant quite a bit. It was an important feeling. And clearly I’m glad we received, however I hope it’s three factors of fifty,000. I dream massive, however I’m simply completely happy that I received it in a win.”
After his debut, the younger guard admitted he had no thought he could be suiting up for the Lakers till that very same morning
It was proper on the finish of week 7 of the NBA season and Olivari nonetheless hadn’t made his well-awaited debut within the massive stage. That morning, he stated, he awoke with a message that morning suggesting that he must be able to play in opposition to Portland on the Crypto.com Enviornment.
“I virtually wasn’t in a position to take my nap immediately. After I awoke this morning at 8 a.m., I woke as much as a textual content saying change of plans, you’re lively and I used to be simply up,” Quincy shared. “I used to be excited. It simply felt just like the day. And everyone has these emotions the place you simply really feel actual assured that one thing is gonna occur.
He then added: “I prayed twice and I did my standard, I went up and received some pictures up within the morning, performed the sport with my associates at dwelling, ate, took a nap, awoke and sadly my Falcons misplaced. Nevertheless it’s no matter. Got here to the sport and listened to my Lil Child and simply went by my routine and it simply felt good.”
The 23-year-old has been shining thus far within the G League this season, averaging 21.4 factors, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists for the South Bay Lakers. Additionally, he appeared as among the finest three-point shooters within the NBA’s developmental league, dropping in 41.3 p.c of his makes an attempt from vary.