Undrafted Lakers’ guard Quincy Olivari gets emotional after exchange with Stephen Curry: “That’s my favorite player ever”

Anthony Valmoria
Oct 19 2024

Every NBA hooper’s dream is to be able to meet and have a wholesome exchange with the players they have looked up to since they were kids. It is one of the most fulfilling things a player can achieve entering the NBA, and a moment like that could make that player’s day.

For some however, that would be their lifelong wish granted and more.

Lakers guard Quincy Olivari just had that time of his life when he met Warriors superstar Stephen Curry after their preseason game on Friday night. The Lakers lost big against the Warriors 74-132 as they sat out their starters. In their place, Lakers head coach JJ Redick started Olivari and he delivered, scoring 22 points on 8-16 shooting including 5-9 from three with 7 rebounds. Olivari was all over the floor for the Lakers, providing energy and picking up full court against the Warriors’ ball handlers.

Although the Lakers’ lost, Curry took notice of the young guard’s performance and chatted with him post-game. The two dapped up and had a brief moment, with Curry talking to Olivari about the game, giving him some advice.

When asked by the reporters in the post-game press conference, Olivari could not help but tear up at that wholesome instance.

“It’s crazy ‘cause I liked him since like I was in 6th grade,” said a teary-eyed Olivari. “I don’t even know what to say, man – that’s like my favorite player ever. The first thing he told me was like ‘I’m a big fan of your game.’ And truth be told, I’m a big fan of him – I had his jersey, he signed it twice and I used to sleep on that jersey. I just want to be like him so bad.”

Although Olivari is not guaranteed a roster spot with the Lakers having only an Exhibit 10 contract, his story is easily one of the best moments of the preseason. Having that moment with the player you idolized means the whole world for a young player like Olivari.

“Just to be able to meet him and him being able to have some respect for me – and he gave me a pair of his shoes and signed them. Like, that meant the world to me – my dad knows, my mom knows. It just means a lot.”