Steph Curry is one of the NBA’s greatest-ever players, but he’s also known for his chewing his mouthguard and his tattoos.

The 36-year-old, who is widely considered one of the greatest of all time, is an expert shooter and holds the NBA record for career three-pointers.

Curry is an NBA great and now an Olympic championGetty

He still plays as a point guard for the Golden State Warriors, heading into his 16th season with the team since his debut in 2009.

In his time on the court, he’s won countless team and individual honours including being a 10-time NBA All-Star.

Meanwhile, over the summer, he has also added an Olympic gold medal to his achievements, winning in France with Team USA.

He has achieved almost everything in the sport, and one constant throughout has been his habit of chewing his mouth guard.

Why does Curry chew his mouthguard?

Curry has worn a mouthguard throughout his whole career.

This wouldn’t be that unusual if he wasn’t constantly chewing it.

And he makes it very obvious he is chewing it as he holds it in one side of his mouth.

He started wearing one in 2007 after an on-court incident and has had it ever since.

Speaking about the origins of the mouthguard in 2015 on the Jimmy Kimmel Show, he said: “I got elbowed in college, my junior year and kind of busted my lip open. And so I wore a mouthpiece after that every single game.

“And then every year, it’s kind of gotten farther and farther away from my teeth.”

Curry has always had the habit of biting his guardGetty

Weirdly, chewing on it has helped his concentration.

He said: “I just chew on it like crazy. It kinda calms me down.

“Especially, when I’m at the free-throw line, so I can kinda get in my rhythm.”

Fans even conducted some research and found that Curry was more effective at shooting when he had the mouthguard to one side rather than when it was on his teeth.

Speaking about it in 2016, he said: “Some fan studied it. He said I shoot two per cent better on free throws with it out.

“And I think he’s right. Because when I shoot a free throw with it in, I always go, ‘Whoa, that’s weird.’ It’s where it’s supposed to be.”

So, it appears there is a method to the madness.

What do Curry’s tattoos mean?

Curry has two tattoos on his wrists, on the right there is a Hebrew passage, and on the left, the words ‘TCC’ and the number 30.

The Hebrew writing is from 1 Corinthians 13:8. The words mean, love never fails.

This matches the one his wife has and the word ‘TCC’ stands for Trust, Commitment and Care.

2023 Thearon W. HendersonCurry has several poignant tattoos across his wrists[/caption]

His family tributes are on show during games2023 NBAE

On his right bicep, he has ‘woe’ engraved, which is another matching tattoo with his wife.

On the outer side of his left wrist, there is another Hebrew passage, which is his name.

There is an ‘A’ on the ring finger of his left hand, which is dedicated to his partner, Ayesha Curry.

Finally, Curry has three geometrical animals on his right leg.

Each one represents his kids.

Canon is the wolf, Ryan is the butterfly and Riley is the horse.