DAVIDSON, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Davidson College’s basketball program is getting a big donation from some major names in sports.
NBA star Steph Curry and his wife, Ayesha, are getting help in creating an eight-figure fund to support athletes. This money will go toward paying athletes for their names, images and likenesses (NIL), allowing Davidson to go up against some major programs in college basketball.
“We’ve got incredible guys that work their tails off and we want to be just as competitive in everything,” said men’s head coach Matt McKillop. “Not just how competitive we are in practice. Not just how competitive we are in the Atlantic 10. We want to be competitive in this new landscape.”
The world of college sports is changing, and Davidson men’s basketball leadership wants the Wildcats to be in the conversation.
“We’re not afraid of anyone,” said General Manager Austin Buntz. “We’ll play anyone anywhere anytime and we’ll recruit against anyone for anyone.”
An eight-figure fund, donated by Davidson alum and NBA MVP Steph Curry, his wife, and Don, Matt, and Erica Berman is making that possible. The Berman family is also backing Charlotte’s bid to revive its WNBA team.
“This fund helps us take it head on and for a small school like Davidson, it’s immeasurable,” said Buntz.
In addition to the money, Matt Berman, who’s a Davidson soccer alum, and Curry will take on roles as assistant general managers, sharing advice on their experiences in the college and pro sports worlds.
“It’s the Stephen Curry effect,” said Buntz. “He brought Davidson into the limelight in the Elite 8 run and to be able to have him now have our backs and want to be involved with the program, it’s Stephen Curry. He’s the best.”
Coach McKillop looks forward to what this will mean for recruitment.
“This clearly will enhance our ability to compete, but it will not shortchange the type of character and the type of young men we want to bring into a school that puts academics ahead of many things,” he said.
Queen City News asked exactly how much money is in this eight-figure fund. Davidson’s basketball leadership is keeping the exact number private.
