Stephen Curry has been rewriting the rules of basketball since the day he broke into the league. Seventeen seasons later, the Golden State Warriors star is still doing it. At 37 years old, he has secured the No. 7 spot on ESPN’s list of the Top 10 NBA Stars for the 2025–26 season, a ranking that has sparked fresh debates among fans and analysts.
A Ranking That Speaks to Longevity
ESPN’s annual list places Curry seventh, behind superstars like Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Dončić, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. For some, the placement feels like an underestimation of his value, given his ongoing ability to carry Golden State. For others, the fact that he remains in the top 10 this late in his career only highlights how extraordinary his longevity is.
The evaluation rests on both his past season’s production and his projected impact in the year ahead. One ESPN analyst summed it up perfectly: Curry “will bend coverages and be the center of every defensive game plan when he is on the floor.” At nearly 40, he is still shaping the court in ways that define the modern NBA.
2024–25 Season: A Testament to His Staying Power
Last season, Curry averaged 24.5 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds across 70 games. While his three-point shooting percentage dipped slightly compared to his prime years, his offensive impact remained elite. He continues to stretch defenses to their breaking point, forcing opponents to guard 30 feet from the basket and opening lanes for his teammates.
The postseason revealed his indispensable role even more clearly. The Warriors reached the second round but unraveled after Curry sustained a hamstring injury. Without him, they dropped four straight games, a collapse that underscored just how much the franchise still depends on his presence. Despite the disappointment, he collected his 11th All-NBA selection, further solidifying his place among the all-time greats.
Adapting With Age
Curry’s ability to remain dominant at 37 comes from adapting his game to the demands of time. He no longer relies on constant motion at the same pace as his younger years, but he has sharpened his decision-making, refined his shot selection, and leaned even more heavily on his basketball IQ. His ball-handling and gravity as a shooter still force opponents into impossible choices. Even when his shots aren’t falling, his very presence transforms the geometry of the court.
Influence Beyond the Box Score
Numbers tell only part of Curry’s story. His influence on basketball is immeasurable. He didn’t just change how defenses operate—he changed how teams build their rosters, how coaches design their offenses, and how young players approach the game. The three-point revolution is tied directly to his success. That influence continues to ripple across the league, even as a new generation of stars rises.
The Debate Over No. 7
Was ESPN right to rank Curry seventh? The answer depends on perspective. Players like Jokić and Dončić are producing MVP-caliber numbers in their primes, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has established himself as one of the league’s most unstoppable guards. But what makes Curry’s case unique is that, at an age when most players have either retired or declined into minor roles, he is still competing shoulder to shoulder with the best of the best.
Conclusion: A Legacy That Keeps Growing
Stephen Curry’s spot in the top 10 for 2025–26 is more than just another accolade. It is proof that his greatness has endured, that his game has aged gracefully, and that his legacy continues to expand. At 37, he remains not just a shooter or a scorer, but the heartbeat of a Warriors team that still relies on him to set the tone.
As he enters his 17th season, Curry is no longer just competing against defenders. He is competing against history itself and he continues to win.
