Stephen Curry Shoots Way to AP Male Athlete of the Year

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Stephen Curry, whose deft dribbling and long-range shooting led the Golden State Warriors to their first NBA title in 40 years, is The Associated Press 2015 Male Athlete of the Year.

Curry finished first in a vote by U.S. editors and news directors, joining LeBron James, Michael Jordan and Larry Bird as the only basketball players to win the honor in the 85 years of the award. Curry beat out golfer Jordan Spieth, who won two majors, and American Pharoah, who became the first horse since 1978 to win the Triple Crown.

Curry won the league MVP last season when he helped the Warriors topple LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals and then led Golden State to a record 24 straight wins to open this season.

Serena Williams, who captured titles in three Grand Slam tennis tournaments, won the AP Female Athlete of the Year award.