SAN FRANCISCO — The day after Christmas, Ryan Channels was making a memorabilia deal when he got his hands on something special: Steph Curry’s trophy he won after posting the NBA’s highest free throw percentage during the 2017-18 season.
Channels, from Napa, has been collecting Curry cards for a decade, but this was different. According to Channels, the trophy is believed to have been lost when the Warriors moved from Oracle Arena to Chase Center. Channels didn’t want to buy the trophy for himself, he wanted to get it back to Steph.
“I was a doing a card deal locally and a guy also had the trophy,” Channels said. “I didn’t ask how he got it or whatever. I bought the trophy with my own money, got it back to Steph.”
A day later, Channels came to Chase Center when the Warriors hosted the Charlotte Hornets and got the trophy back to Curry’s bodyguard Yusef Wright. Steph clearly appreciated the gesture.
Before Saturday night’s contest against the Orlando Magic, Curry met with Channels and eight of his buddies, as he was celebrating his bachelor party.
Curry missed his 11th straight game with a left shoulder injury but did a full pregame workout. Afterwards, Steph stopped to chat and signed some memorabilia before heading back to the locker room.
“It’s unbelievable. Truly unbelievable,” Channels said. “He’s the best. He’s the GOAT on and off the court. I love him. It’s just been an amazing ride collecting his stuff. Being able to return (something) — what do you get the guy that has everything else? When you’re able to do a favor like that for someone who I’ve been getting inspiration from for 10 years, it’s so fulfilling. It’s what life is all about.”
Steph posted a 92.1 percent free-throw percentage in 2017-18, marking the fourth and most recent time in his career he led the league in category. He fell just short (92.3 percent) of beating Jordan Poole (92.5 percent) last season.
