Fоllоwing the SаturԀаy prаctice оf the UniteԀ Stаtes bаsketbаll men’s nаtiоnаl teаm in аbu Ԁhаbi, Stephen Curry, Jаysоn Tаtum, аnԀ Ԁevin Bооker went rоunԀ оf gоlf there.
A part of the USA Basketball Showcase, Team USA is in Abu Dhabi for two games. Monday at 12:00 ET is Australia; Team USA will then play Serbia on Wednesday at noon ET.
Team USA’s calendar allows athletes some downtime to engage in other pursuits. Given his passion of the game, Curry’s choice of golf is not surprising. According to Cam Cobey for NBA.com, Curry is a scratch golfer having started the game at the age of ten. Additionally, he won the American Century Championship, an athlete and celebrity golf tournament hosted annually at Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
Curry couldn’t defend his crown this weekend since that tournament is scheduled while he is preparing for the Olympics. Still, he managed some time to strike the links while Team USA searches for its sixth consecutive Olympic gold medal.
Seeing him on the course behind Steve Kerr, head coach of Team USA, and his Warrior head coach lately—per Joe Vardon of The Athletic on July 7—is also interesting.
“This is not 1992 — Steph (Curry) and I am not going to be like (Dream Team coach) Chuck Daly and Michael (Jordan), we are not playing golf every day,” Kerr remarked.
” Chuck and Michael enjoyed themselves immensely on game days, playing 36 (holes). Those long gone days are gone. Even with our outstanding roster, we have hands full.
Of course, one round of 18 following squad USA duties does not equal daily golf, particularly given the squad does not have a group play game for another two weeks.
Although Curry represented Team USA in triumphs at the 2010 and 2014 World Championships, this is his first Olympic trip.
Booker also enjoys golf, particularly noting in the video how he enjoys the game providing “peace of mind.” Last summer he hosted a celebrity golf tournament as well.
Tatum is seeking his second Olympic gold medal fresh off his first NBA title. Like Curry and Booker, he is also a regular golfer; last August he played in the FedEx St. Jude pro-am. Every year, he hosts a charitable golf tournament as well.
