The Charlotte Hornets added a defining piece of franchise history to the rafters on Thursday, March 19, officially retiring Dell Curry’s No. 30 jersey during a 130–111 win over the Orlando Magic. The ceremony, held at halftime in Charlotte, honored one of the organization’s foundational players and ensured his legacy will remain permanently visible inside the arena.
According to ESPN, Curry, 61, had long been aware the moment was coming, but the weight of the occasion was still evident as the banner was unveiled. The jersey now hangs alongside that of Bobby Phills.
Selected by Charlotte in the 1988 expansion draft, Curry became synonymous with the Hornets during a decade-long run that helped shape the team’s early identity.
Known for his perimeter shooting and steady scoring off the bench, he won the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award in 1994 and finished his Hornets tenure as the franchise’s all-time leader in points, games played, and three-pointers.
“I can’t thank them enough for this,” Curry said during the ceremony. “I’m just a country boy from Grottoes… I cannot explain how grateful, blessed, fortunate I am to be here in this moment.”
He also acknowledged the city’s long-standing support, adding, “You wrapped your arms around me when I was a 24-year-old kid.”
The celebration doubled as a family moment, with Curry joined on the court by his sons, Stephen and Seth Curry, both active NBA players, as well as his extended family.
In a social media post after the ceremony, Stephen Curry called it “a special night for the Curry family,” adding that “the originator is in the rafters forever.”
Beyond his playing career, Curry has remained deeply tied to the organization and the Charlotte community. He transitioned into broadcasting in 2009 and continues to serve as a television analyst for the team, maintaining a visible presence around the franchise more than two decades after his final game in a Hornets uniform.
A donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America was also made in his honor as part of the celebration.
