This 9-Year-Old Basketball Player Is Asking Steph Curry Why His Sneakers Are Only Made for Boys
Update November 29, 2018:
In a handwritten letter posted to Twitter, Steph Curry responded to a 9-year-old basketball player who was concerned about the way his collection with Under Armour was marketed. "I appreciate your concern and have spent the last 2 days talking to Under Armour about how we can fix the issue," he writes. "Unfortunately we have labeled smaller sizes 'boys' on the website and we are correcting this NOW." He goes on to say that he will be sending her a pair of shoes that fit and also mentions that he has something in the works for International Women's Day in March.
Previously: With basketball season fully underway, nine-year-old player Riley Morrison needed new sneakers to hit the court. During her search for the perfect pair, however, she became frustrated about the lack of options for young girls and decided to take matters into her own hands. She wrote a letter to NBA superstar Steph Curry, asking him why his new Curry 5 shoes are only available in boy's and men's sizes.
She begins the letter by saying that she’s “a big fan” of Steph and that she often goes to Golden State Warriors games with her dad, but she also writes that she's disappointed that Under Armour is selling the Curry 5 shoes specifically to boys, leaving girls out of the equation. Riley's letter, later shared on social media by her dad, continues, “I know you support girl athletes because you have two daughters and you host an all-girls basketball camp." And, she adds, “I hope you can work with Under Armour to change this, because girls want to rock the Curry 5s, too.”
“I wanted to write the letter because it seems unfair that the shoes are only in the boys’ section and not in the girls’ section,” Riley tells Teen Vogue. “I wanted to help make things equal for all girls, because girls play basketball, too.”
Riley has been playing basketball since she was four. When she asked her dad, Chris Morrison, for the Curry 5s, he had to break the news that they weren't available in her size. “She looked at me and said, ‘Dad, that’s not fair,’” Chris tells Teen Vogue. “And I said, ‘Well maybe you can write a letter.’”
In the past, Steph has been an outspoken advocate for women's rights issues, including equal pay. In August, he wrote an essay for The Players’ Tribune about what it’s like to raise two young daughters in this day and age, and why it’s important to close the gender pay gap.
Riley letter is getting picked up on social media, with many responders pointing out that gendered shoe sizing is arbitrary. Neither Steph Curry or Under Armour have responded.
Teen Vogue has reached out to Under Armour for comment.
Get the Teen Vogue Take._ Sign up for the Teen Vogue weekly email.
Want more from Teen Vogue? Check this out:
UConn Women’s Basketball Team Dynasty Reveals Sexism in March Madness
