referencing his Virginia hometown<\/a>. \u201cI had no idea that this was even happening. I\u2019m just playing basketball because I love it and now to have my jersey in (these) rafters besides Bobby, I cannot explain how grateful, blessed, fortunate I am to be here in this moment.\u201d<\/p>\nCurry, currently a TV broadcaster and analyst for the Hornets, was joined by his NBA-playing sons Stephen and Seth \u2014 both members of the Golden State Warriors \u2014 along with his daughter Sydel, wife Nicki, his mother Juanita, six grandchildren and a number of team officials, including co-chairmen Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin, President of Business Operations Shelly Cayette Weston, and President of Basketball Operations Jeff Peterson.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast night at a quiet, intimate family dinner is when it really hit me,\u201d Dell Curry said Thursday before the ceremony. \u201cI got a little emotional thinking about it. \u2026 This is a big deal. I understand how big of a deal this is.\u201d<\/p>\n
He received video tributes from Don Londes, his former high school coach in Fort Defiance, Virginia., former Hornets teammates Larry Johnson, Muggsy Bogues, Glen Rice, Kenny Gattison, Rex Chapman and Tim Kempton, his three children and longtime broadcast partner Steve Martin.<\/p>\n
\u201cA special night for the Curry family,\u201d Stephen Curry posted on social media after the ceremony. \u201cThe originator is in the rafters forever. Congratulations, Dad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Curry, 61, spent 10 years of his 16-year career with the Hornets and was the franchise\u2019s last original player when he left via free agency after the 1997-98 season. He was the NBA\u2019s Sixth Man of the Year winner in 1994, and Charlotte has been the place he has considered home for nearly 40 years.<\/p>\n
Curry was involved with Hornets\u2019 community events and briefly served as an assistant coach in the summer of 2007 before joining the team as a full-time TV color commentator in 2009 alongside original Hornets play-by-play broadcaster Martin. Curry is currently in his 11th season as color commentator for the franchise\u2019s second TV voice Eric Collins, who emceed Thursday night\u2019s ceremony.<\/p>\n
When Curry left the Hornets in 1998, he was the franchise\u2019s all-time leader in games played (701), scoring (9,839 points) and made 3-pointers (929). He remains the Hornets\u2019 all-time leader in games played and is second to Kemba Walker in both scoring and made 3-pointers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to thank all of you fans,\u201d Curry told the crowd. \u201cYou wrapped your arms around me when I was a 24-year-old kid. And you\u2019ve supported me and my family ever since.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Hornets hosted a private pregame reception attended by family, friends and other officials, including North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein \u2014 who presented Curry with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of North Carolina\u2019s highest civilian honors. A donation was also made to the Boys & Girls Club of America in Curry\u2019s honor.<\/p>\n
\u201cDell Curry is synonymous with the Charlotte Hornets, he truly epitomizes what it means to have Hornets DNA,\u201d Schnall and Plotkin said in a statement. \u201cDell\u2019s impact extends far beyond basketball. His excellence on the court, his continued leadership, and his deep connection to this community make him a foundational figure in our franchise\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
\u201cRetiring his jersey is a tribute to everything he has meant \u2014 and continues to mean \u2014 to this city, this team and to the Carolinas.\u201d<\/p>\n