{{Short description|American basketball player (born 1976)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}} {{Infobox basketball biography | name = Curtis Staples | image = | caption = | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 3 | weight_lb = 198 | nationality = American | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|7|14|mf=y}} | birth_place = Roanoke, Virginia, U.S. | high_school = Patrick Henry (Roanoke, Virginia)<br>Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Virginia) | college = Virginia (1994–1998) | draft_year = 1998 | career_start = | career_end = | career_number = | career_position = Shooting guard | years1 = 2002–2003 | team1 = Huntsville Flight | years2 = 2003–2004 | team2 = Roanoke Dazzle | highlights = * Third-team All-ACC (1998) * No. 5 jersey retired by Virginia Cavaliers * Third-team ''Parade'' All-American (1994) * Virginia Mr. Basketball (1994) * McDonald's All-American (1994) | medaltemplates = {{MedalSport | Men's Basketball}} {{MedalCountry|{{USA}}}} {{MedalCompetition|Summer Universiade}} {{MedalGold| 1997 Trapani | Team competition}} }} '''Curtis Staples''' (born July 14, 1976) is an American former basketball player who played from 1994 to 1998 for the University of Virginia. He was a sophomore starter on Virginia Group AAA champion Patrick Henry High School in 1992. He played at, and is a 1994 graduate of, Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia.
== Early life and high school career == Staples was born in Roanoke, Virginia. As a sophomore, he was a starter and leading scorer on Patrick Henry High School's 1992 Virginia Group AAA state championship team.<ref name="roanoke1993">{{cite news |title=STAPLES DECIDES TO GO TO OAK HILL |url=https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/ROA-Times/issues/1993/rt9307/930712/07120071.htm |work=Roanoke Times |access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref> He later transferred to Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, graduating in 1994. At Oak Hill, he averaged 23.6 points per game as a senior.<ref name="pilot1994">{{cite news |title=SPECIAL REPORT: VIRGINIA'S BIG BASKETBALL CLASS |url=https://www.pilotonline.com/1994/04/14/special-report-virginias-big-basketball-class/ |work=The Virginian-Pilot |date=April 14, 1994 |access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref>
In 1994, Staples was named Virginia Mr. Basketball<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.roanoke.com/sports/colleges/vaughn-excelled-under-radar/article_658f3ad3-57c5-58e9-a627-d8515a636f5f.html|title=Vaughn excelled under radar|newspaper=The Roanoke Times|date=June 30, 2007|author=Doughty, Doug|access-date=March 23, 2019}}</ref> and selected as a McDonald's All-American.<ref name=roster>{{cite web|url=https://www.mcdonaldsallamerican.com/content/dam/aag/All-time%20Boys%20Roster.pdf|title=McDonald's All-American all-time rosters|access-date=2018-01-25|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731122140/https://www.mcdonaldsallamerican.com/content/dam/aag/All-time%20Boys%20Roster.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.realgm.com/highschool/allamerican/mcdonalds/1994|title=1994 McDonald's All-American Rosters|website=RealGM|access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref> He was also named a third-team ''Parade'' All-American.
Staples was regarded as one of the top high school prospects in the United States during his senior year, participating in national-level showcase events and drawing recruiting attention before choosing to remain in-state and attend Virginia.<ref>{{cite news |title=SPECIAL REPORT: VIRGINIA'S BIG BASKETBALL CLASS |url=https://www.pilotonline.com/1994/04/14/special-report-virginias-big-basketball-class/ |work=The Virginian-Pilot |date=April 14, 1994 |access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref>
== College career == Staples played for the Virginia Cavaliers under head coach Jeff Jones from 1994 to 1998. He scored 1,757 career points and made 413 three-point field goals. He set a Virginia single-season record with 130 three-pointers in 1997–98. He earned third-team All-ACC honors in 1998 and contributed to Virginia’s 1994–95 team that advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://virginiasports.com/news/1999/06/21/curtis-staples-wins-three-point-contest |title=Curtis Staples Wins Three-Point Contest |website=VirginiaSports.com |date=June 21, 1999 |access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref>
He finished his collegiate career with 413 three-point field goals, which established an NCAA record at the time.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/7181471/top-3-point-shots-ncaa-history-college-basketball |title=Top 3-point shooters in NCAA history |website=ESPN |access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref>
His scoring total of 1,757 points places him among the top scorers in Virginia program history.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/virginia/men/leaders-and-records-career.html |title=Virginia Cavaliers career leaders |website=Sports-Reference |access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref>
==Three point record== Staples is best known for breaking the all-time NCAA record for career three-point field goals, previously held by Radford University's Doug Day, at 413. Staples' record stood for nearly eight years after his career ended, until JJ Redick of Duke University broke it on February 14, 2006. Staples had actually conducted a basketball clinic in Virginia which Redick attended as a pre-teen; Redick's rare shooting ability caught Staples's eye even then.<ref name=Miller>{{cite news|last1=Miller|first1=Ed|title=Southwest Va. is home to the nation's best all-time sharpshooters|url=http://www.pilotonline.com/sports/college/southwest-va-is-home-to-the-nation-s-best-all/article_63c46490-59cb-515e-9815-7a7f86f5a7fc.html|accessdate=November 15, 2015|work=The Virginian-Pilot|date=February 11, 2006|archive-date=March 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330064233/http://pilotonline.com/sports/college/southwest-va-is-home-to-the-nation-s-best-all/article_63c46490-59cb-515e-9815-7a7f86f5a7fc.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Redick told ''The Roanoke Times'', "I was a big Curtis Staples fan."<ref name=Miller/>
Staples attended the record-breaking game and remarked, "I've always said, like the old saying goes, records are meant to be broken. J.J. has been a hard worker and deserves everything that he gets. I'm glad to see somebody like J.J. breaking it. He's a very significant player that we will never forget."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1137834160370&path=!sports&s=1037645509200|title=journalnow.com - Winston-Salem News, Sports, Entertainment, Politics, Classifieds|first=Winston-Salem|last=Journal|website=Winston-Salem Journal|accessdate=November 29, 2018}}</ref>
==Professional playing career== After graduating in 1998, Staples played eight seasons of professional basketball overseas. He participated in NBA summer leagues with the Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/Curtis-Staples/Italy/Givova-Scafati/11086|title=Curtis Staples Profile|website=Eurobasket|access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref> He was also signed as a rookie free agent by the Chicago Bulls in 1999.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bulls Sign Lauderdale |work=Chicago Tribune |date=1999}}</ref> Internationally, he played in FIBA Europe leagues in Spain and Italy (including with Scafati Basket) and in the Philippine Basketball Association.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/18106/curtis-staples|title=Curtis Staples Profile|website=Proballers|access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref> In the United States, he competed in the National Basketball Development League (now NBA G League) for the Huntsville Flight (2002–2003) and Roanoke Dazzle (2003–2004).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/dleague/players/s/staplcu01d.html|title=Curtis Staples D-League Stats|website=Basketball-Reference|access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref>
==Coaching career== After he retired from playing, Staples was the head coach for Virginia Episcopal School basketball team in Lynchburg, Virginia for eight seasons.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Walls |first1=Dave |title=VES basketball coach Curtis Staples to step down after season |url=https://wset.com/sports/full-court-press/ves-basketball-coach-curtis-staples-to-step-down-after-season |website=WSET |access-date=December 10, 2024 |language=en |date=December 20, 2017}}</ref> During his tenure, the program experienced sustained competitive success in the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA), including multiple Division II Final Four appearances and two state championships, according to contemporaneous reporting.<ref name="VESsuccess">{{cite web |title=VES basketball coach Curtis Staples to step down after season |url=https://wset.com/sports/full-court-press/ves-basketball-coach-curtis-staples-to-step-down-after-season |website=WSET |access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref>
Additional reporting has noted that Staples helped develop and mentor student-athletes, with more than 120 players advancing to collegiate basketball programs across NCAA Division I, II, and III levels during his prep coaching career.<ref>{{cite web |title=Staples coaching profile |url=https://em-sports.com |website=EM Sports |access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref>
He then moved to Tennessee to become the head coach of the boys basketball team at Lakeway Christian Academy.<ref name="Tribune">{{cite web |title=Lakeway Christian’s Staples earns top boys’ coaching honor |url=https://theroanoketribune.org/lakeway-christians-staples-earns-top-boys-coaching-honor/ |website=Roanoke Tribune |access-date=December 10, 2024 |date=May 23, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Curtis Staples - Head High School Boys Basketball Coach - Staff Directory |url=https://lakewaylions.com/staff-directory/curtis-staples/34 |website=Lakeway Christian Academy |access-date=December 10, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
In his first season at Lakeway Christian Academy (2018–19), the team finished 25–1 and won a National Association of Christian Athletes (NACA) national championship.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://theroanoketribune.org/lakeway-christians-staples-earns-top-boys-coaching-honor/ |title=Lakeway Christian’s Staples earns top boys’ coaching honor |website=Roanoke Tribune |access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref>
He was named the Citizen Tribune All-Lakeway Area Boys Basketball Coach of the Year in 2019 and again in 2025 after his final season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lakeway's Staples named Lakeway Area Boys' Basketball Coach of the Year after final season |url=https://www.citizentribune.com/sports/lakeway-s-staples-named-lakeway-area-boys-basketball-coach-of-the-year-after-final-season/article_1eac6ad2-cd02-481f-8190-01f00bd71c98.html |work=Citizen Tribune |date=May 3, 2025 |access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref>
He stepped down in March 2025 after seven seasons. Staples also served in administrative and mentorship roles within athletic programs, contributing to player development and program building during his coaching career.<ref>{{cite news |title=Staples Building a Winner |url=https://www.citizentribune.com/sports/local/staples-building-a-winner-in-first-year-at-lakeway-christian/article_fc5570e0-37f8-11e9-a14b-8f3ba7f03ad0.html |work=Citizen Tribune |access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref>
He has also been involved in youth mentorship initiatives, supporting programs aimed at providing academic and athletic development opportunities for young athletes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jubileefamily.org |title=Jubilee Family Development Center |access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref>
In 2025, Staples joined the Detroit Pistons as a scout in the National Basketball Association (NBA). His transition into scouting followed a high school coaching career, during which he compiled a combined record of 518 wins and 42 losses and won three state championships. During that period, more than 120 of his players advanced to NCAA programs across Division I, II, and III.<ref name="standardbanner2026">{{cite news |last=Barker |first=Dennis Jr. |title=Staples turns coaching experience into NBA career |url=https://www.standardbanner.com/articles/sports/staples-turns-coaching-experience-into-nba-career/ |work=Standard Banner |date=April 13, 2026 |access-date=April 17, 2026}}</ref> At Lakeway Christian Academy, his teams won a National Association of Christian Athletes (NACA) national championship in the 2018–19 season and a TSSAA championship in 2025. He also pursued legal studies at Northwestern California University School of Law.<ref name="standardbanner2026" />
== Personal life == Staples is married to Alani Staples. The couple has two sons.<ref>{{cite news |title=Staples to lead Lakeway Christian Academy's boys basketball team |url=https://www.citizentribune.com/sports/local/staples-to-lead-lakeway-christian-academy-s-boys-basketball-team/article_9bcecde8-4253-11e8-a35f-071e556e0bcc.html |work=Citizen Tribune |date=April 17, 2018 |access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref>
== Honors == The University of Virginia retired Staples' jersey (#5) on November 12, 2006, during halftime of Virginia's first game in its new John Paul Jones Arena. Staples ranks ninth on Virginia's career scoring list with 1,757 points.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://virginiasports.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/111206aae.html|title=Special Recognitions Mark Halftime Of Virginia-Arizona Game|work=cstv.com|access-date=November 22, 2006|archive-date=November 26, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061126130417/http://virginiasports.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/111206aae.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== See also == * List of NCAA Division I men's basketball season 3-point field goal leaders * List of NCAA Division I men's basketball career 3-point scoring leaders
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.basketball-reference.com/dleague/players/s/staplcu01d.html D-League stats]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Staples, Curtis}} Category:1976 births Category:Living people Category:American expatriate basketball people in Italy Category:American expatriate basketball people in Spain Category:American men's basketball players Category:Basketball players from Roanoke, Virginia Category:High school basketball coaches in the United States Category:Huntsville Flight players Category:McDonald's High School All-Americans Category:Parade High School All-Americans (boys' basketball) Category:Roanoke Dazzle players Category:Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball players Category:Scafati Basket players Category:Shooting guards Category:FISU World University Games gold medalists for the United States Category:Summer World University Games medalists in basketball Category:Medalists at the 1997 Summer Universiade Category:Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Virginia) alumni