Dell Curry Has No. 30 Jersey Retired by the Hornets

Dell Curry was doing his best to hold back tears Thursday night, and it was not easy.

The Charlotte Hornets retired his No. 30 jersey at halftime of their game against the Orlando Magic, raising it to the rafters where it will hang alongside the number honoring the late Bobby Phills.

“I can’t thank them enough for this,” Curry said. “I’m just a country boy from Grottoes, man. I had no idea that this was even happening. I cannot explain how grateful, blessed, fortunate I am to be here in this moment.”

Curry was surrounded by family for the occasion, including his NBA-playing sons Stephen and Seth, both of the Golden State Warriors, along with daughter Sydel, wife Nicki, his mother Juanita and six grandchildren. Several team officials were also present, including co-chairmen Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin.

Stephen Curry shared his feelings on social media after the ceremony.
“The originator is in the rafters forever,” he wrote. “Congratulations, Dad.”

Curry, 61, spent 10 of his 16 NBA seasons in Charlotte and was the franchise’s last original player from the 1988 expansion draft when he departed after the 1997-98 season. He won the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award in 1994.

When he left the Hornets, Curry held franchise records in games played (701), scoring (9,839 points) and made three-pointers (929). He still holds the all-time games played record with the franchise and ranks second in both scoring and three-pointers behind Kemba Walker.

Curry received video tributes from former teammates Larry Johnson, Muggsy Bogues, Glen Rice and others, as well as messages from his children. He has been a TV color commentator for the Hornets since 2009 and is currently in his 11th season in the booth.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein attended a pregame reception and presented Curry with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of the state’s highest civilian honors. A donation was also made to the Boys and Girls Club of America in his name.
“Dell Curry is synonymous with the Charlotte Hornets,” Schnall and Plotkin said in a statement. “Retiring his jersey is a tribute to everything he has meant, and continues to mean, to this city, this team and to the Carolinas.”