Curtis Blair III, son of NBA official, bringing talents to Liberty basketball
RICHMOND, Va. (BVM) 鈥� The Steward School junior guard Curtis Blair III learned the intricacies of basketball from his father, Curtis Blair II. While many dads would go over the basics of the game like how to dribble, shoot a perfect jumper or make layups, Blair III got even more in-depth teaching from his dad, all the way down to the smallest rules in the sports rulebook. That鈥檚 because Curtis Blair II, following his playing days, has taken a role in the NBA as an NBA official, a position he has held since 2009.
鈥淗e鈥檚 been playing basketball, been around basketball pretty much his whole life so he鈥檚 been able to teach me a lot and how to play the right way,鈥� Blair III said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 taught me good mechanics on my shot and everything about basketball in general he helped me get to this point.鈥�
This deeper knowledge of the game has rubbed off on the younger Curtis Blair as he has been able to use his basketball IQ, and the genetic skills he inherited from his father, to become one of Virginia鈥檚 best prep players. On March 9, Blair III committed to in-state Liberty University where he will play as the team enters into their new home of Conference USA.
鈥淚 took an official visit back in October and I just saw the way they go about things and it鈥檚 this whole big family,鈥� Blair III said. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e been recruiting me since I was 14 years old so they鈥檝e shown a lot of love and it was the best opportunity for me and something too good to pass up.鈥澛�
While it certainly wasn鈥檛 a shock to see Blair III go to the Division I level, some may have been surprised that he didn鈥檛 go the legacy route, following in his dad鈥檚 footsteps by attending nearby University of Richmond. Blair II was one of the best guards in Spiders鈥� history and is a member of the school鈥檚 hall of fame, finishing with 1,630 points which ranks him in the top 15 all-time. In addition to his scoring, Blair II also earned numerous recognitions including being named the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year, CAA first team, All-defensive team and All-tournament team after averaging 20.3 points as a senior.
鈥淪ome of the things he tells me that鈥檚 different between us is that I鈥檓 a little bit bigger, a little taller and weigh a lot more than he did at my age,鈥� Blair III said. 鈥淗e also says I鈥檓 a little bit more athletic because he was more of a point guard.鈥�
Blair II would end up being drafted by the Houston Rockets in the second round of the 1992 NBA Draft, though he wouldn鈥檛 see NBA action and would instead play professionally overseas.
鈥淚 definitely think I could鈥檝e taken him one-on-one,鈥� Blair III said with a laugh. 鈥淕rowing up he鈥檇 always joke with me that if I got an offer from Richmond that I would commit right away, but things didn鈥檛 work out that way and he鈥檚 happy for me. Ever since Liberty came in he鈥檚 always liked them and that鈥檚 always the place I thought I鈥檇 go so it worked out.鈥�
In 2001, Blair II began taking officiating classes and after officiating middle school and high school games in the Richmond area would jump to Division I basketball, the NBA Developmental League (now known as the G-League) before advancing to the game鈥檚 highest level in 2009.
鈥淒uring the season it鈥檚 kind of hard,鈥� Blair III admitted. 鈥淏ut during the summer we鈥檙e together every day talking, working out, so we usually make up for the season in the summer. We will talk about this after games and stuff too.鈥�
Being near the game from a young age has certainly paid off for Blair III. This past season, the 6-foot-5 junior guard has excelled for the Spartans to the tune of 18 points and eight rebounds a game. Blair III was named the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools player of the year after helping the Spartans win the TCIS championship and earning first team tournament honors.
鈥淚t means a lot, but it means a lot more because we were able to win our conference,鈥� Blair III said. 鈥淲hen I found out I was happy for the award, but I really just wanted to win the championship and we were able to do that so I鈥檓 able to enjoy it a little bit more now.鈥�
Though his team would fall 53-50 to Blue Ridge in the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division II state semifinals, Blair was able to leave his mark by scoring 16 points in his final game of the season. The Spartans would wrap up the year with a 28-3 record, thanks in part to Blair鈥檚 excellent play.
鈥淲e just want to win,鈥� Blair III said. 鈥淚 feel every year we鈥檙e getting closer and closer [to a state title] so hopefully next year we can obtain that goal鈥hat would mean a lot. Next year will be my sixth year so it would show off all the work we鈥檝e put in and Coach [Curt] Kassab has put in with the program so it鈥檇 mean a lot. Kind of the finishing touches.鈥�
In Blair III, besides getting the son of a Richmond legend, the Liberty Flames will also be getting a unanimous three-star prospect who currently ranks as a top 10 prospect in Virginia鈥檚 2023 recruiting class. With another year to grow his game, Blair III鈥檚 ranks could continue to rise, especially if he builds off of his impressive junior season.
鈥淚 see [I can bring] shot making and shot creating,鈥� Blair III said. 鈥淚 feel like I can create my own shot and make a bucket when needed, but I also have a winning mentality. I just want to win and compete so I think I鈥檒l bring that.鈥�
By watching each of his father鈥檚 games and training with his dad whenever he is home from work, Blair III has been able to make himself one of Richmond鈥檚 best, just as Blair II was 30 years prior. The goal is for the Blairs to someday share an NBA court.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 the plan,鈥� Blair III said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 ever been done before so hopefully we can be the first.鈥�
With his excellent basketball IQ, high-level talent and a mentor like his father, expect Curtis Blair III to have similar success with the Flames that his dad had with the Spiders. Basketball just runs in the family.
