Photo: Peter Baba

Stephen Curry paid tribute to legendary coach Don Nelson following his death at age 86, crediting him as an important reason he ended up with the Golden State Warriors.

Curry entered the 2009 NBA Draft with questions surrounding his size, playmaking and durability, and six teams passed on him. Nelson, however, strongly believed in his potential and urged Golden State to select him seventh overall.

“One of the big reasons I was drafted by the Warriors was because of Don Nelson,” Curry said.

Despite Curry expecting to land with the New York Knicks at No. 8, Nelson pushed the Warriors to take him one pick earlier. Curry played only one season under Nelson but remembers the confidence his coach showed in him.

“The story is he never liked rookies,” Curry said, “but from Day 1 he challenged me and gave me an opportunity to be my best self on the court. He taught me a lot during our one season together and I’ll never forget the night he became the winningest coach in NBA history in Minnesota. We were so happy for him.

“He had an immeasurable impact on the sport and will go down as one of the greatest minds in the history of the game. He’s a true icon and will be missed by the countless number of people he touched, including myself, during a legendary career.”

Nelson had been impressed with Curry since watching him during the 2009 NIT.

“I was marveling at his skill from shooting and passing and ball handling,” Nelson recalled. “I just thought he was a star. I never dreamed we were going to be able to get him.”

His belief never wavered after Curry joined Golden State.

“Well, I’m a big fan of his,” Nelson said shortly after the draft. “I think he’s going to be a terrific player. He’s just starting.”

Don Nelson was reason Steph Curry ended up on Warriors https://t.co/GPD9bcTkWe pic.twitter.com/DVOcoQsGRY