The Charlotte Hornets organization announced Wednesday that the franchise will officially retire the No. 30 jersey of legendary guard Dell Curry during a halftime ceremony on March 19. The event, scheduled for a home matchup against the Orlando Magic at Spectrum Center, marks a significant milestone for the franchise as Curry becomes only the second player in team history to receive this honor, joining the late Bobby Phills.

Curry, who was an original member of the 1988 expansion team, spent 10 seasons in Charlotte and established himself as a premier marksman during a period of significant growth for the NBA in the Carolinas. During his tenure, he became a fixture of the Hornets' identity and eventually earned the 1993-94 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award. He remains the franchise's all-time leader in games played with 701 appearances and ranks second in total points scored with 9,839.

The decision to hang No. 30 in the rafters was delivered to Curry in a surprise meeting by Hornets co-chairmen Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin. In a joint statement, the owners emphasized that Curry has been a cornerstone of the organization for more than 25 years. They noted that his contributions extend beyond his playing days, citing his professionalism and his ongoing commitment to the Charlotte community.

Following the announcement, Curry expressed his gratitude for the recognition, noting that he never explicitly imagined his jersey would be retired. Since his retirement from professional play in 2002, he has remained deeply embedded in the organization, currently serving his 17th season as a television color analyst and acting as a franchise ambassador.

The ceremony will also highlight the Curry family's generational impact on the sport. Dell is the father of Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and current Hornets guard Seth Curry. Last season, Seth wore the No. 30 as a tribute to his father, but he has since switched to No. 31 to ensure the original No. 30 remains reserved for the upcoming retirement honor.