During the holiday season, Stephen Curry was pleasantly surprised by a thoughtful present from his cousin. It all began when an individual known as “BannedSF” on Instagram revealed that they had purchased a pair of Stephen Curry’s game-used Nike Hyperfuse “SC30” shoes in December for $6,800.

Subsequently, the seller posted the shoes for sale on Instagram, catching the attention of Curry’s cousin, who ultimately acquired them for an impressive $18,000 through BannedSF.

The sole intention behind Curry’s cousin purchasing the shoes was to return them to the Golden State Warriors star.

The family was so determined to reunite Curry with his cherished footwear that the seller mentioned they were flown out to San Diego to facilitate the deal.

Curry and BannedSF had a prior connection, having collaborated on previous occasions. In an act of appreciation, the two-time NBA MVP had gifted the San Francisco-based business owner an autographed shirt that read “BannedSF, best plug in the Bay!” In sneaker culture, a “plug” refers to someone who assists others in acquiring rare or hard-to-find shoes and clothing. Curry’s gesture on the shirt suggests that he had sought the seller’s assistance in acquiring exclusive sneakers and, in return, expressed his gratitude through the gift.

Now, Curry has reclaimed ownership of his beloved shoes. Given that he wore them during his ascent in the NBA, it is only fitting for him to retain them as a significant memento.

Reflecting on Stephen Curry’s tenure with Nike, fans expressed confusion upon seeing him donning Nike shoes on Instagram. After all, Curry’s name has since become synonymous with Under Armour. However, prior to signing his lucrative $4 million-per-year deal with Under Armour in 2013, Curry was affiliated with Nike from 2009 to 2013. During that time, he had signed a four-year contract with the company and frequently sported their shoes on the court.

Specifically, Curry wore the Nike Hyperfuse “SC30” version during the 2012-13 season. The shoes that BannedSF sold to Curry’s cousin were from Game 3 of the 2013 NBA playoffs, a crucial match between the Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals.