STEPHEN CURRY’S DAUGHTER BRINGS A HOMELESS FRIEND HOME — WHAT HAPPENS NEXT LEAVES EVERYONE SPEECHLES
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The autumn sun cast golden rays over the campus of Lakeside Preparatory School in Oakland, California, where Riley Elizabeth Curry, the 12-year-old daughter of NBA superstar Stephen Curry, waited by the school entrance. With her curly hair tied in a neat ponytail and her uniform perfectly in place, Riley sat on the bench, swinging her legs back and forth, lost in thought as she sketched in her notebook. Her mother, Aisha, was running late again—probably stuck in traffic after recording another episode of her popular cooking show. Riley didn’t mind; she was used to waiting, and it gave her a chance to relax after another busy day.
Riley’s life had always been in the spotlight as the daughter of one of basketball’s greatest players, but her parents made sure to keep her grounded. Despite attending one of the most prestigious and expensive schools in the region, Riley had been taught from an early age the importance of gratitude, kindness, and compassion.
As she sat there, her gaze was drawn to a girl sitting alone in a small park across from the school. Unlike the other children, who were playing and laughing, this girl remained quiet, focused on a worn notebook. Riley’s curiosity piqued, she couldn’t help but watch her. The girl’s posture was determined, and despite her visible age, she held a quiet intensity that made her stand out from the other students. Riley noticed that she was dressed in clothes that seemed too big for her slender frame, and there was something about her that felt different, yet familiar.
Tucking her own notebook into her backpack, Riley stood up and decided to approach. “Hi, what are you drawing?” she asked, stopping a few steps away from the girl.
The girl looked up, clearly startled and a bit suspicious. She hesitated for a moment but then, with a small nod, showed Riley her notebook. The drawing revealed a stunningly detailed sketch of Oakland’s urban landscape, with shadows and light capturing the essence of the city. Riley’s eyes widened in admiration.
“Wow, you draw really well,” Riley exclaimed, genuinely impressed. “My name’s Riley. Can I sit with you?”
The girl, after a brief pause, replied softly, “I’m Jasmine.”
The two girls soon found themselves sitting together, exchanging sketches and sharing stories. Riley showed Jasmine her own drawings, which were colorful and lively, though not as technically refined as Jasmine’s work. Jasmine, on the other hand, revealed that she had taught herself shading techniques by watching videos at the public library. Their conversation flowed naturally as they bonded over their shared love for drawing.
Just as they were getting comfortable, a black SUV pulled up at the school entrance. Riley immediately recognized her mother’s car.
“That’s my mom,” Riley said. “Do you live around here? We could meet again to draw together.”
Jasmine quickly gathered her things, visibly nervous. “I need to go before it gets dark,” she muttered, looking at the sky, which was beginning to tinge orange.
Riley, curious but not wanting to pressure her, simply nodded. “Okay, I’ll see you later.”
When Riley got into the car, she introduced Jasmine to her mother, Aisha, excitedly. “Mom, this is my new friend Jasmine. She’s an amazing artist.”
Aisha greeted Jasmine with a warm smile, but her gaze quickly caught some subtle signs—Jasmine’s worn backpack, her nervousness, and her wariness as she looked around. She was clearly uncomfortable in this new environment.
Aisha, with her maternal instincts kicking in, noticed how quickly Jasmine seemed eager to leave.
“Where do you live, Jasmine?” Riley asked innocently, her curiosity still piqued.
Jasmine hesitated, her face softening as she mumbled, “We’re staying in a temporary shelter… My mom and I lost our apartment when she got sick and couldn’t work anymore.”
The words struck Riley hard, and she didn’t hesitate. “Come to our house today. We can draw more and have dinner together!” she insisted, her voice filled with excitement and warmth.
The car drove smoothly through the streets of Oakland, and Jasmine sat quietly in the back seat, clutching her sketchbook tightly against her chest. Riley kept looking over at her, but Jasmine’s eyes were fixed on the passing scenery. Aisha, in the front seat, observed the change in neighborhoods as they transitioned from modest to more exclusive areas. Riley had grown up in this world, but for Jasmine, everything seemed new and overwhelming.
“We’re here,” Aisha announced as they approached the house. The gate opened automatically, revealing a sprawling property that Jasmine could hardly believe. The perfectly manicured gardens and spacious house made it feel like a different world altogether.
“Your house is a palace,” Jasmine whispered, her eyes wide with awe.
Riley laughed lightly. “It’s just a house,” she replied, unaware of how foreign that simple statement sounded to Jasmine. As they entered the home, Jasmine instinctively took off her sneakers, feeling a bit out of place on the gleaming wooden floors.
In the entrance hall, photos of the Curry family filled the walls, not just showcasing Stephen’s sports achievements, but moments of family milestones and charitable works. Jasmine’s eyes scanned the photos, clearly overwhelmed by the wealth and success displayed before her.
“Hello! You must be Riley’s friend,” a warm voice called out. Riley’s father, Stephen Curry, appeared in casual clothes, his genuine smile immediately putting Jasmine at ease. She froze, momentarily in shock. She had seen Stephen Curry on TV, on posters, even on a T-shirt a shelter mate had proudly worn. But meeting him in person—especially in his home—was surreal.
“I’m Jasmine,” she managed to say, her voice a little shaky.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jasmine,” Stephen said with a warm handshake. “Riley hasn’t stopped talking about your drawing since you came in.”
As Riley gave Jasmine a tour of the house, Stephen and Aisha exchanged looks, silently understanding the situation. Jasmine’s family was clearly struggling, but she didn’t want to seem like charity. Stephen had his own ideas, though, and as soon as the girls went upstairs, he quietly began making calls to help Jasmine’s mother, Tanya, with employment and stable housing. Aisha activated her network of business contacts to find opportunities for them both.
Back upstairs, Riley proudly showed Jasmine her art station. “You can use any of the materials here,” Riley said, noticing Jasmine’s amazement at the professional art supplies she had access to. Jasmine reverently touched a watercolor paper pad, something she had never seen outside of store windows.
The girls spent the afternoon drawing, with Riley sharing her vibrant, colorful compositions while Jasmine worked meticulously on a detailed portrait of Riley. They spoke about Jasmine’s life, her mother’s health struggles, and how their circumstances had forced them to move from shelter to shelter.
“My mom tries to hide it, but I know she cries at night,” Jasmine confessed quietly, her voice tinged with sadness. “She thinks I’m asleep, but I can hear her.”
The conversation was interrupted by Aisha calling them down for dinner. At the dinner table, Jasmine observed the Curry family’s ritual of sharing their best moment of the day before eating. When her turn came, Jasmine looked down at her plate, filled with a home-cooked meal—something she hadn’t had in months.
“My best moment,” Jasmine said, her voice choked with emotion, “is being here right now. Being able to draw without worrying, eating a full meal, and feeling what it’s like to have a real home again—even if just for a few hours.”
The next few weeks became a time of transformation. Riley and Jasmine’s friendship blossomed, and their bond began to bridge the gap between their two worlds. Jasmine visited the Curry home twice a week, and on Saturdays, the girls would meet in the park to draw. One day, Riley asked her parents if she could visit Jasmine’s home. After a frank conversation, Aisha agreed to take Riley to the temporary shelter.
The visit to Jasmine’s shelter opened Riley’s eyes to the reality of housing insecurity. She saw how her friend had turned a small space into something of her own with donated supplies, pencils, and drawings on the wall. The visit left a profound impression on Riley, and she could see the strength in Jasmine, who had managed to make the best of her situation.
Riley suggested they do something for their school’s upcoming exhibition, proposing a joint art project called Invisible Bridges, showcasing the shared humanity between people from different social backgrounds. The exhibition was a huge success, attracting attention from local media and even sparking conversations about housing insecurity in their community.
Thanks to the Curry Foundation’s connections, Jasmine’s mother, Tanya, received a job offer at the East Bay Community Clinic, while Jasmine herself earned a scholarship to attend Lakeside Preparatory School through the Emerging Talents Program. Riley, once living in a bubble of privilege, had learned to see the world through a new lens, recognizing that kindness and human connections could make a real difference.
The impact of Riley and Jasmine’s friendship spread beyond their school and their personal lives, leading to the creation of the Bridges community center in Oakland. The center, which offered free access to art materials and artistic guidance, became a symbol of what could be achieved when different worlds came together.
By the time they were both in high school, Riley and Jasmine had turned their childhood dreams into reality. Their shared art projects and initiatives were thriving, and their story inspired others to embrace empathy and kindness.
Riley stood before her classmates one day and said, “We need to understand that housing insecurity isn’t about laziness or bad choices. It’s about a lack of safety nets when something goes wrong. We are all connected. It’s time to start building bridges, not walls.”
And so, the legacy of Riley and Jasmine’s friendship continued to grow, touching lives across their community and beyond. It was a reminder that no matter our backgrounds, we all have the power to change the world.
