Coach Marcus Kirkland, a basketball trainer who runs StriveAboveOthers in Folsom and Sacramento, hosts regular open gym sessions and pickup games.
On Saturday, Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry showed up at one of those runs at the Life Time Fitness gym in Folsom, along with pro Kent Bazemore, who’s played for the Warriors, Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers during his 10-year career.
It’s a day many won’t soon forget.
Kirkland met Bazemore two years ago at Life Time after he was released by the Kings. He and Curry know each other, too.
“I’ve known Steph for a while, he’s a great guy,” Kirkland said. “He and Kent Bazemore are great people.”
Curry was reportedly in town for his daughter’s youth volleyball tournament and so Kirkland knew the shooting guard might show up with Bazemore, but “NBA players, their schedules get a little hectic,” Kirkland said.
Kirkland shared video and photos of the pickup games with The Sacramento Bee.
“He showed up, man, and it was probably a day we all will remember,” Kirkland said. “When one of the greatest shooters of all time walks into your gym and your open run you’re kind of shocked.”
Video shows dozens of gym members gathered around the court to watch.
“It was a great experience for the kids,” the coach said. “I brought about 15 to 20 kids, got about 15 guys to play. Steph Curry’s a great guy, he and Kent Bazemore — they’re great people. They have no ego. They’re open. He was talking to everybody. It was a real experience. It’s something that, like I said, Folsom will remember for years to come.”
Steph Curry hits the ‘Night Night’ celebration after hitting a three at an open run in Sacramento(via jessicabrogan/ig)pic.twitter.com/JQgRYZ7o7G
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 9, 2024
