Dell Curry is about to take his rightful place in Charlotte Hornets history.
Come March, the Hornets will raise Curry’s No. 30 to the rafters-an honor long overdue for a player who helped define the early years of the franchise. For a city that’s watched its share of basketball legends come and go, Dell’s name still resonates with a generation of fans who remember the buzz in the Hive when the Hornets first took flight in the late ’80s and ’90s.
“I never imagined it would happen,” Curry said. “It means so much to me. The game gave me so much, the fans gave me so much… it would be an injustice to try to put into words what this means.”
That emotion speaks volumes. Curry wasn’t just a sharpshooter before the three-point revolution-he was a foundational piece of Charlotte basketball. Arriving with the expansion team in 1988, Dell spent 10 seasons in teal and purple, becoming the face of consistency and professionalism in a young franchise still finding its identity.
By the time he played his final game for the Hornets in 1998, Curry had cemented himself as the franchise’s all-time leader in games played (701), points scored (9,839), field goals made (3,951), and three-pointers made (929). And even now, decades later, his name still sits near the top of the Hornets' record books across multiple categories: second in points, field goals, and threes made; third in three-point percentage; fourth in steals; sixth in free throw percentage; and eighth in free throws made.
That kind of longevity and production doesn’t just happen-it’s earned. Night in and night out, Curry brought a steady hand and a shooter's touch to a team that was growing up alongside him.
He played with flair, but never chased the spotlight. He was a pro’s pro, and Charlotte embraced him as one of their own.
“When I first came to Charlotte in 1988, the city embraced my family and me in a way I never expected,” Curry said. “I was blessed to join an organization that believed in me, play alongside teammates who would become life-long friends and compete in front of the most passionate fans in the NBA.”
That bond never faded. Even after his playing days, Curry remained a fixture in the organization and the community. As a broadcaster, mentor, and ambassador, he’s continued to give back to the team and city that gave him so much.
And now, he’ll take his place in Hornets history alongside Bobby Phills-whose No. 13 was retired in 2000-as only the second player to receive the franchise’s highest honor.
This isn’t just a jersey retirement. It’s a celebration of a player who helped build the foundation of basketball in Charlotte.
It’s a thank you to a man who gave the franchise a decade of excellence and a legacy that still echoes today. And yes, it’s a proud moment for a father whose son became the greatest shooter the game has ever seen-but Dell Curry’s own story, his own impact, deserves this spotlight.
Come March, No. 30 goes up-and it stays there. Where it belongs.