Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) gestures after he scored during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
President Barack Obama greets Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry, center, and Curry's former Davidson College teammate Bryant Barr in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015. (Pete Souza/Official White House Photo)
President Barack Obama poses with Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015. (Pete Souza/Official White House Photo)

WASHINGTON — Stephen Curry met President Barack Obama in the Oval Office on Wednesday for a private conversation. Curry brought up how the commander in chief once said the Warriors guard was the best shooter he had ever seen.

“I appreciate the shout-out,” Curry said he told Obama, a notable basketball fan who wanted to talk about coach Steve Kerr and teammate Draymond Green as well.

The brief presidential chat capped off a visit by Curry to the White House, where the All-Star addressed dignitaries through some nervousness in a five-minute speech in support of the president’s Malaria Initiative.

Curry recalled traveling to Tanzania in 2013 and seeing how children at a refugee camp were affected by the disease.

“That hit home to me as we traveled through the camp to hear stories of how malaria impacted all those families,” Curry said, noting he has a 21/2-year-old daughter.

Curry for the past three seasons has donated three insecticide-treated mosquito nets for every 3-pointer he makes as part of the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign. Curry’s participation has earned him fans in the government, including Rear Adm. Tim Ziemer, the U.S. Global Malaria Coordinator, who watched the 26-year-old win the 3-point contest at the NBA’s All-Star Weekend earlier this month.

“As I watched you in action, you put on a workshop in precision,” Ziemer told Curry. “I am just really delighted that you would associate your skills and influence in this presidential initiative and for the global good of eliminating malaria. You inspire me in just having met you in a few minutes. You’re a great ambassador.

“Keep those three points coming. It saves lives.”

Joining Curry in the Oval Office conversation with Obama was former Davidson College teammate Bryant Barr, who had introduced him to the malaria cause while the two were in school. Barr successfully created a 3-on-3 basketball tournament to raise money for bed nets.

“To see his passion and the way that he was able to rally a small community just spoke to me about just the power of raising awareness, and we’re fortunate enough to have a platform in the NBA to reach millions of families and homes not only here in the U.S. but across the world,” Curry said. “To have that opportunity is something that I don’t take for granted.”

Hours after scoring 32 points to lead the Warriors to a win against the Washington Wizards, Curry was in a morning meeting with Obama. Curry said Obama, besides talking about golf, discussed with him the president’s Malaria Initiative and first lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative, which aims to solve the problem of obesity.

“Meeting the president in the Oval Office is a dream come true,” Curry said.

The White House event celebrated progress made in the fight against malaria and the ongoing support that came from those including Obama and Curry, who received a tour of the White House. Curry, who along with the Warriors are hosting Nothing But Nets Day on March 8 at Oracle Arena, also got appreciation for raising awareness.

“When someone of his stature and reputation steps up and not only articulates the problem with malaria but then provides time and resources to help offset that through the distribution of nets, it sends a resounding message not only to those that he seeks to serve but represents here in the United States,” Ziemer said.