Former NBA guard Monta Ellis discussed his experience playing alongside Stephen Curry with the Golden State Warriors, explaining how Curry developed into one of the league’s best players.

During a conversation with Tony Allen, Ellis was asked whether he expected Curry to reach his current level of success when they were teammates.

“You got a chance to play with Steph. How was that experience? Did you see that he would become the guy who he is today?” Allen asked.

“No, I didn’t. But I knew he worked hard. He would pay attention on the things that I was doing, he paid a whole lot of attention to it and he put that in his game,” Ellis responded.

Ellis admitted that he did not anticipate Curry becoming such a successful player, although he recognized his dedication and willingness to learn.

“Did I know he was going to be that? Nah.”

“But he did work hard. So now seeing it, not surprised because of the work [he put in]. Once you learn like even with him though, he came in small.”

According to Ellis, Curry’s physical development was a major factor in his improvement. He explained that Curry initially struggled with the physical demands of the NBA but became much more effective as he gained strength.

“Once he figured out how to be able to get strong and take physicality, that’s when his career changed. When he first came into the league, it wasn’t like that. So when he got stronger and can take that physicality, that’s when his game took off.”

Ellis and Curry were teammates in Golden State from 2009 until 2012, when Ellis was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Curry subsequently developed into a two-time NBA MVP and four-time champion with the Warriors.