From the Mud to the Map: Fort Wayne’s Sydney Curry Goes Pro Overseas
By La’Crystele Brown
FWIS Contributing Writer
Fort Wayne native Sydney Curry has always been a force to be reckoned with not just on the basketball court, but in life. Now, with a passport in one hand and a basketball in the other, Curry is turning heads overseas as a newly drafted professional player. His journey, from neighborhood courts to international arenas, is a story of grit, growth, and giving back.
“I’m just a person that got it out the mud and never gave up,” Curry says, reflecting on his path. Born and raised in Fort Wayne, Sydney’s athletic roots were first planted in football. He played for Metro Alliance growing up and was surrounded by mentors who helped keep him focused. But it was basketball which he started taking seriously around age six or seven that ultimately called him. “My main sport was football at first, but I fell in love with basketball. I started early and just stuck with it.”
Curry's time playing at Northrop High School was a major foundation in his basketball journey. As a senior, he averaged an impressive 18.6 points and 12.4 rebounds per game, earning him a spot on the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association “Supreme 15” all-state team and recognition as ABC21’s 2019 Boys Basketball Player of the Year.
Two coaches played a significant role in shaping Curry’s game and mindset during those formative years and that was Coach Rod Chamble and Coach Jerome Jordan. Under their guidance, Curry grew not only as a player but as a young man navigating both challenges and expectations. “They believed in me when so many others didn’t, I don’t think they know how much that meant to me,” Curry says. “They pushed me, kept me disciplined, and helped lay the groundwork for everything that came after.”
That level of play opened the door to John A. Logan College in Illinois, where Curry dominated on the JUCO scene. Over two seasons, he put up solid numbers and his talent didn’t go unnoticed, as he was named Great Rivers Athletic Conference Player of the Year and earned NJCAA All-America honors, eventually being ranked a Top 10 JUCO prospect in the country.
Curry credits his time at JUCO as the true turning point in his basketball journey. “That summer changed everything,” he says. “JUCO gave me two years to mature it changed the way I saw the game.” The level of competition, the grind, and the expectation to lead helped shift not just his play, but his mindset. “I had to grow up fast,” he adds. “It made me tougher mentally and really helped me understand what it takes to move to the next level.”
That kind of growth set the stage for the next leap. Curry transferred to the University of Louisville, where he played for two seasons in one of the country’s top programs. As a senior, he was named a team captain and appeared in all 32 games, and started in 25. After Louisville, he spent his graduate year at Grand Canyon University for the 2023-24 season. At GCU, Curry brought veteran leadership and high efficiency.
Now living and competing in a new country with a different language and culture, Curry describes the overseas experience as both humbling and eye opening. He signed with Panteras de Miranda in Venezuela’s Liga Profesional de Baloncesto (LPB) one of South America's most competitive leagues. So far, he’s been making a statement, including a dominant 32-point, 18-rebound performance against Spartans de Distrito Capital Caracas.
“The biggest adjustment is the language,” he says. “But I’m learning Spanish more every day. Walking around, exploring and it’s been good for me. Just being away from all the chaos back home and focusing on my craft.”
And that focus? It’s rooted in something bigger than basketball. “I’m doing this for my daughter,” Curry shares. “When things get hard, I think about her. I think about my family. I know which direction I don’t want to go, so I just stay on the right path.”
“In college, people are always on your back, telling you what to do. But as a pro, you’re on your own time. It’s more free. You learn real fast that if you don’t work hard, you deal with the consequences.”
A typical day for Curry overseas includes morning practice, recovery, rest, and lots of film study. He studies legends like Tim Duncan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant, not just for their skill but for how they approached the game mentally. “It’s about more than highlights,” he says. “I watch how they carry themselves, how they lead, how they stay locked in. That’s the stuff that helps me sharpen my own mindset.”
When it comes to support, Curry didn’t hesitate. “My parents, my mom and dad have been my biggest cheerleaders. Even when I didn’t want to hear it, they were there pushing me, encouraging me through good times and bad.” He also points to his older brother and close mentors from back home who still check in regularly. “Having people who don’t let you fold that’s priceless.”
Through it all, Curry has learned that peace is his power. “I’ve realized I’m a people person,” he shares. “I like seeing other people win. That energy, that peace.. it translates to the court. Leaving behind all the B.S. and focusing on what matters, that’s where I am now.”
For young athletes struggling to find their way, Curry’s advice is firm but heartfelt, “Don’t listen to people who aren’t in your shoes. Always bet on yourself. Learn to take constructive criticism, not everyone wants to see you fail, but be mindful of who you take advice from. Surround yourself with the right people.”
Looking ahead, Curry is focused not just on wins, but on legacy. “It’s about taking care of my family. Living life with no regrets. Just doing what I love and knowing I gave it everything.”
And when he’s back home in the city that raised him? He’s open to making partnerships, attending events, and giving back, especially when it’s for the kids.“I don’t want fear to stop kids from becoming something. That’s what inspires me to give back. I’ve been where they are.”
For those looking to connect with Sydney Curry whether to collaborate, host him at an event, or just show some hometown love you can reach out to him on Facebook under the name Sydney Curry or on Instagram at @big_ticketsc.