Getting drafted in the NBA. Becoming a father. Raising three children, two of which are following a similar path of realizing their dreams of playing in arenas filled with thousands of spectators eyeing their every move.

Watching a son morph into one of the world’s greatest and most recognizable pro athletes, someone who’s revolutionized the game of basketball with a legendary shooting stroke.

Just name it.

Nothing compares to the sentiments bubbling up inside Dell Curry over the last month. The butterflies churning away in the pit of his stomach probably felt more like pterodactyls, all because of what’s happening during halftime of Thursday’s Charlotte Hornets’ game against the Orlando Magic at Spectrum Center.

“It’s been quite the event, from being told you’re going to have your jersey retired up to this point,” Curry said in a sitdown with The Charlotte Observer. “A lot of emotions — a little anxiety, nervousness is approaching now, excitement. But I’m still grateful and honored to have this happen.”

Easily one of the most recognizable people in the history of the Charlotte Hornets, Curry will have his No. 30 jersey retired and lifted into rafters, becoming the franchise’s second player to have the distinguished honor. The 61-year-old joins Bobby Phills, whose No. 13 was retired on Feb. 9, 2000, about a month after his death in a tragic car accident.

Curry transcends pro basketball in Charlotte, logging 10 seasons with the Hornets, from 1988–98, before later transitioning into a broadcasting career with the franchise while also serving as a team ambassador. Throw in one of his latest occupational contributions, which is assisting Hornets coach Charles Lee’s staff during practice and shootaround sessions, and Curry is a man of many hats.

Yet, he asked himself a question once word of the honor broke in January.

“First thought was, ‘Wow, do I deserve this?” Curry said. “And immediately after it was announced so many people, fans, friends, everybody’s like, ‘Dude, you deserve it. It’s long overdue.’ And it made me go back and think about what’s all happened since 1988, up to this point and how long I’ve been with the franchise.

“And then traveling around the league looking at different arenas and actually looking up to see, ‘Hey, whose number’s up in the rafters?’ And then I’m like, ‘Ok, maybe I do deserve this.’”

Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin, the Hornets’ co-owners, agreed. It was their idea.

“For Rick and Gabe to do this, they didn’t have to do this,” Curry said. “I think for them to celebrate the legacy of this franchise means a lot. Tells you about who they are and what they want this franchise to become, which is the best in the NBA. And we’re on the right track.”

Why honoring Dell Curry’s was no-brainer for the Hornets

What makes Curry’s jersey worth retiring?

Schnall and Plotkin easily rattled off a lengthy list, boasting about Curry’s integral presence through his broadcasting role with the Hornets for the past 17 seasons and his deep connections across the organization spanning nearly three decades. He’s also influenced major decisions and culture-building initiatives under the current ownership.

And don’t forget about the NBA legacy left with sons Seth and Steph Curry.

It’s why Hornets’ ownership began having conversations about the honor at the tail end of 2025. Their leadership team, which also featured team president of business operations Shelly Cayette-Weston, and Jeff Peterson, the president of basketball operations, debated whether to proceed this season or in the future.

The ultimate choice was to do it this season.

“I think we’re trying to build something really special, and the Hornets celebrating the past is a big part of that,” Plotkin told The Observer. “We’ve had a lot of long-term fans and season ticket holders, and I think Dell’s a really unique individual in Hornets’ history because he was on the inaugural team. He’s played the most games in the history of the Hornets.

“He was on the best team ever in 96-97 that won 54 games. He was a really, really good player, probably a player who was almost understated just given the nature of the game back then versus where his skills really lie today. He has this amazing connection to the past”

Add it up, and it’s a no-brainer for the Hornets’ decision makers.

“When you span that all, it’s almost been 30 years as a part of this organization and that’s really unique,” Plotkin said. “He bleeds purple and teal more than anybody. And I think when we combine kind of his connection to really the entire history of the Hornets’ organization with the person that he is and the player that he was, he was the perfect candidate to be the first person to go up in the rafters outside of Bobby Phills.”

Behind the scenes, Curry is a soundboard for ownership. Among other things.

His involvement goes way beyond simply serving as tag-team partner for play-by-play voice Eric Collins. He’s multi-faceted and the ownership group is taking full advantage of that variable expertise.

“One thing we’ve learned in our time with Dell since we bought the team is that he understands the importance of culture and of building the team in the right way,” Schnall told The Observer, “and has been incredibly supportive of taking the steps we have in terms of Jeff and Charles and the kinds of players that we’ve added to the team. Dell gets it.

“Obviously, he knows the team so well because he’s been a player and then been a broadcaster for 17 years. That’s an incredible tenure. But he also wants to be here and sees the future coming. And so he’s been impactful on me and Gabe in terms of impacting our thought process and understanding the history and all. So, having him around has been a huge benefit to everyone involved in the organization. He’s also been really, really valuable to Charles.”

By serving as an extra set of eyes and ears. That’s yet another branch of his job description.

“He watches every game and he obviously is a keen observer of the game,” Schnall said. “So, I think he is making really valuable observations on how we play and the potential of players. He obviously understands shooting very well and shooting potential.

“And understands, for instance, how good a shooter Tidjane Salaun can become, things like that. And so he’s been helpful in all those things behind the scenes.”

‘First on my list’

Curry’s ex-teammates couldn’t be more thrilled. He’s still like a brother to many, holding special bonds cherished to this day. It’s why they can’t stop gushing about the honor being bestowed upon Curry.

Especially Muggsy Bogues, who first met Curry in 1983, and later became teammates on the inaugural Hornets team in 1988, and shared 10-plus years together in Charlotte and another year-plus in Toronto.

“This is a great day, not only for the Curry family but for the city of Charlotte,” Bogues said. “It’s well-deserving. Dell Curry has been around since the beginning — 88. And what he meant to the city, what he meant for the organization, how he represented himself on and off the court, was second to none.

“So, to be able to witness this and be in the building to honor the original 30 go up in that rafter for everybody should be celebrated.”

Alonzo Mourning, who suited up for the Hornets from 1992-95, wholeheartedly agrees.

“I’m very excited for him because it’s a well-deserved honor,” Mourning said. “He’s the greatest shooter in franchise history and he’s the greatest shooter I ever played with. I had a chance to connect with him and his family for my couple of years when I was in Charlotte. They kind of took me in and took me under his wing. I’m very grateful for that and will never forget it.

“Dell deserves this honor because he is one of the original Hornets and just does so much for the city of Charlotte as well. Him transitioning into broadcasting and all, I think it’s only fitting because I think he’s the voice of the organization.”

Glen Rice co-signed Mourning’s rave reviews.

“Most of the time, guys whose jerseys go up in the rafters are most of the guys who had a huge impact just basketball-only, a guy that was the guy on the team,” said Rice, who suited up for the Hornets from 1995-98. “But when you think about Dell, Dell had an impact basketball-wise. But what I love most is his community work is outstanding. The broadcasting thing that he does is outstanding.

“Out of all the guys that I know that have been raised up in the rafters, if I had to rank them across the board — people, players, guys who are involved in the community constantly, a God-fearing man — Dell might be first on my list. He really is. For a guy that was not the man, but the leadership and the respect that guys give him, that’s outstanding.”

Kenny Gattison’s kudos for Curry’s achievement was effusive.

“In some people’s mind it’s overdue, but it could have been five years after he retired — it would have been quick enough,” said Gattison, who played for the Hornets from 1990-95. “So, it’s a great honor for him and it’s truly, truly like it’s happening to your brother. We weren’t just teammates.

“He’s so beloved here in Charlotte and in this city. … It’s not a higher honor and it couldn’t happen to a better person, better teammate. I don’t have enough praises for the friendship that we’ve had since 1981. And to see this honor, it’s like it’s a family member. That’s how it means a lot to me. I hope I don’t shed a tear, but that’s how much it means.”

‘I still pinch myself’

All it takes is a peek during a Hornets’ game to see how much Curry is adored.

Fans constantly look for him alongside Collins in their perch atop Section 105 at Spectrum Center, pointing and waiving with hopes he’ll acknowledge them in even the slightest of ways.

Tracking his trek from the broadcast position down to the court for his pregame hit with Collins, who was one of the biggest proponents of Curry getting his jersey retired, is something to behold. He’s like the pied piper, constantly trailed by someone longing for a keepsake selfie.

Unbothered in a contrast to many of his stature, Curry is extremely gracious, always stopping for fans to interact personally. Even at the most inconvenient moments when he’s darting up the stairs to be in place once it’s time to go live right before tipoff.

He remains approachable and grounded. Even with a global superstar son.

Collins knows that as well as anyone, given he’s next to Curry when he’s feverishly peppered with requests on that lengthy trek up the stairs from courtside to their position in the booth.

“When I lived in Chicago for many years and I worked with this guy — his name was Chet Coppock, who was this big bombastic guy — I remember Chet would walk with me,” Collins said, “and we’d be walking through the United Center back in the ‘90s. And people would scream his name. ‘Chet! Chet!’ (He said), ‘Eric, never look at anyone. Just wave to the entire section. Wave to the entire section.’ That was his big story. I’ll never forget that.

“Now, Dell is at the other end of the spectrum. When I’m with Dell and people are screaming his name, he stops each and every time. But the national anthem’s happening, and he’s stopping to take a picture and sign an autograph or kiss a baby. So, I always say that the worst thing to do in the NBA is walk behind Dell if you’ve got a deadline to make, because inevitably, you will be stopped.”

Every single occasion.

“And it’ll take you an extra three minutes just because I can’t imagine how many people in the city of Charlotte have Dell’s autograph or have his picture on his phone,” Collins said. “It’s remarkable because he does not say no ever, right?”

That’s how it is for the person who retired as the team’s all-time leader in games played (701), points (9,839), overall made field goals (3,951) and 3-pointers (929). Curry also claimed the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award in 1993-94, averaging a career-best 16.3 points.

Throw in still ranking among the franchise’s top 10 in games (first), total seasons (first), points (second), field goals made (second), field goal attempts (second), made 3-pointers (second), 3-point percentage (third), steals (fourth), free throw percentage (sixth) and made free throws (eighth) and it’s pretty clear why he’ll take his place with Phills in Hornets’ immortality.

Now, when he looks up in the north end of the upper reaches of the place he calls home for 41 games per season, there will be a jersey bearing his name — a feat that probably seemed unobtainable.

“I never thought about it,” Curry said. “I know Bobby and someone asked me, ‘What were your thoughts on Bobby?’ My locker was right beside Bobby Phills. I know what kind of person he was. And I always said — I have one daughter (Sydel) — he’s the guy that you want your daughter to marry. He’s that good of a guy. So, I never thought about whose jersey would go up there. It never crossed my mind. But now that mine’s going up there, I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m glad I’m the first (since).’

“There’s a lot of guys out there that that’s deserving that could have went up there first. But I’ve been with the franchise the longest in a lot of different capacities, so I’m happy I’m going to represent everybody.”

Which is no different than what Curry has always done. In every aspect.

“Just living life, being grateful for basketball and what it’s done for me and my family, everything it’s given to us,” Curry said. “And it still continues to give when we don’t deserve all this. I’m just a game that I grew up playing, I fell in love with, tried to be my best, worked at it every day.

“I still pinch myself to say, ‘Man, you’re living the best life a guy from Grottoes, Virginia — small town — could live.’ So very, very grateful.”

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