Wilt’s headband. Kareem’s goggles. Steph’s mouthguard. It’s almost impossible to picture the faces of these basketball icons without their trademark on-court accessories. Stephen Curry is known for his unlimited range wizardry handle and that frivolous habit of dangling his mouthpiece during games. Some call it disgusting some think it annoying but one thing is for sure. It’s Steph’s thing and a huge part of his brand as the carefree fun-loving baller so fittingly called the “Baby-Faced Assassin.”

Fresh off his third NBA title in four years with two league MVP’s and a scoring title under his belt Stephen Curry is well on his way to enshrinement in Springfield Mass. There is little argument anymore who will go down as the greatest shooter in NBA history. And while his career still has a ways to go to be mentioned among the likes of a Chamberlain or Abdul-Jabbar at age 30 Curry has already surpassed The Stilt in rings and is halfway to equaling his league MVP total. With the Warriors dynasty in full force three more championships to catch Kareem does not seem too far-fetched either.

Just how coveted can a game-used saliva-soaked mouthpiece be? That depends on the game the player and the provenance. A collector paid $3190 in our 2016 Summer Auction for one that the Warriors superstar point guard supposedly used during the 2015-16 regular season. What about an epic performance say Game 4 of the 2018 NBA Finals when Steph led all scorers with 37 points to close out a sweep of LeBron and the Cavs? And what if there was conclusive video evidence of Curry tossing his mouthguard to a fan right after the game in the midst of the Warriors victory celebration?

With most of the disgruntled Cleveland faithful quickly filing out of Quicken Loans Arena before the trophy presentation at center court our consignor saw an opportunity to move down to a courtside spot adjacent to the podium. As Curry waited with his euphoric teammates for the Larry O’Brien to arrive on stage a loud group off to the right — none germophobes apparently — including our consignor caught Curry's attention and began pleading for his mouthguard. The game had just ended so Steph was still holding it.

"Just like his basketball shot he made a perfect throw to me" as told by our consignor. "I reached up wrapped it in a napkin and put it in my pocket." Fortunately for authentication purposes a person right behind him captured the whole scene on the video provided. The footage while a bit grainy is indisputable. Photos ensued showing our consignor as euphoric as the Dubs on stage.

The mouthguard has all the appropriate markings and impressions of one (or “the” one) that Steph used while sinking seven threes in 15 attempts in the series clincher—five days after he broke the all-time NBA Finals record with nine triples in Game 2. With teeth marks aplenty and even some yellowing from Curry’s blessed DNA on the transparent plastic mold the dual-branded “SC/30” logo adorns the top flanked by two Under Armour “UA” stamps on the bottom down-facing sides.

The scarcity of a Steph game-used mouthguard cannot be understated. Neither the NBA nor Fanatics—his memorabilia partner—have sold one on record. This is just the second known to be offered publicly a far cry from his several dozen game-worn jerseys and sneakers in circulation. Is he too embarrassed to promote or profit off an unflattering habit? Whatever the reason this is an incredible opportunity for collectors to own perhaps the most significant and identify-appropriate piece of memorabilia to date from the greatest shooter ever.

Includes detailed letter of provenance from the fan who acquired it.