Riley Morrison, 9, and Warriors star Steph Curry share a moment.
The Curry 6 “United We Win” sneakers.
The Bay Area girl who moved Stephen Curry to change the way he sells sneakers appeared with the Warriors’ superstar on national television Friday to discuss their extraordinary creative collaboration.
Curry marked International Women’s Day by releasing his newest namesake sneaker, which he co-designed with 9-year-old Riley Morrison.
Morrison, a Napa resident, earned widespread attention last November when she wrote Curry a letter explaining that she had tried to buy his Under Armour sneakers online, only to discover that they weren’t available in girls’ sizes.
Curry responded to Morrison with a handwritten letter saying he was working with the company to change things. They took things a step further by inviting Morrison to design the artwork on the inside of a new version of the shoe.
Curry said he couldn’t believe a 9-year-old wrote such a poignant letter.
The timing of Riley getting her shoes is no coincidence. Tonight, she’ll wear her new kicks at center court of the Warriors’ game at Oracle Arena, on International Women’s Day, right alongside her idol and part-time pen pal.
Morrison hopes there’s a lesson in her experience.
“We all have a voice, and by simply writing a letter, you can make a change,” she said.
Under Armour said sales from the sneaker will go toward a scholarship created by the Stephen and Ayesha Curry Family Foundation and UA for a college-bound girl in the Bay Area. The winner will be announced every year around International Women’s Day.