Overview

Wardell Stephen ‘Dell’ Curry Sr., born on June 25, 1964, is an American former professional basketball player. Known primarily as the father of NBA stars Stephen and Seth Curry, Dell had a notable 16-year career in the NBA from 1986 to 2002. He played for five teams, most notably the Charlotte Hornets, where he spent ten seasons. A sharp shooter, Dell was the Hornets’ all-time leading scorer at one point, amassing 9,839 points despite often playing as a sixth man. He won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 1994. Dell Curry was drafted 15th overall by the Utah Jazz in 1986. He also played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Toronto Raptors. Currently, he serves as a color commentator for the Charlotte Hornets. He was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. His career earnings from his playing days in the NBA is over $19 million dollars.

Charlotte Hornets

Color Commentator

What Is Dell Curry’s Net Worth?

Dell Curry, an American former professional basketball player, has accumulated a net worth of $8 million. This financial standing reflects his successful NBA career, which spanned from 1986 to 2002, and subsequent endeavors.

Dell Curry’s NBA Career Earnings and Financial Highlights

During his time in the NBA, Dell Curry earned a total salary of $19.8 million. When adjusted for inflation, this translates to approximately $35 million in today’s dollars. Notably, his highest single-season salary was $3.66 million, earned while playing for the Charlotte Hornets during the 1997-1998 season.

While specific details about Dell Curry’s earnings from endorsements, commercial investments, or other ventures outside of his NBA salary are not publicly available, his net worth of $8 million suggests a combination of factors contributing to his financial success. These could include strategic investments, post-NBA career opportunities, and careful financial management.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Wardell Stephen Curry Sr., known as Dell Curry, was born on June 25, 1964, in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He grew up in Grottoes and honed his basketball skills at Fort Defiance High School, where he became the school’s all-time leading scorer. Curry’s dedication to the sport was evident in his commitment to practicing shooting in his coach’s barn.

His achievements led to him being named a McDonald’s All-American player in 1982. In addition to basketball, Curry excelled in baseball, winning state championships in both sports. He was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 1982 Major League Baseball draft but chose to attend college instead, enrolling at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.

At Virginia Tech, Curry continued to excel in both basketball and baseball. He was named the Player of the Year in 1986 in the Metro Conference. He was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1986 MLB draft but decided to pursue a career in basketball. His success at Virginia Tech led to his induction into the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.

Professional Basketball Career

Dell Curry was selected with the 15th overall pick by the Utah Jazz in the 1986 NBA draft. He played one season for the Jazz before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1987. He played for the 1987-1988 season but was then left unprotected by Cleveland for the 1988 NBA expansion draft.

He was the second player selected overall and the first selected by the Charlotte Hornets. Curry spent the next ten seasons in Charlotte, primarily coming off the bench to provide instant offense with three-point shooting. During his sixth season with the Hornets, he was named the Sixth Man of the Year, an NBA award given to a player who regularly comes off the bench as a substitute. He was the Hornets’ all-time statistical leader in points, games played, three-pointers made and attempted, and three-pointer goal percentages.

Following his time in Charlotte, Curry played one season for the Milwaukee Bucks and then signed with the Toronto Raptors, where he spent his final three seasons in the NBA. Curry holds career averages of 11.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. He remains the all-time leading scorer in Hornets history with 9,839 points.

After retiring from professional basketball, Curry was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. He later served as a commentator for the Charlotte Bobcats in 2009.

Personal Life and Post-NBA Ventures

Dell Curry met his wife, Sonya Adams, while at Virginia Tech. They married in 1988 and had three children: Stephen, Seth, and Sydel. Both Stephen and Seth have had successful careers in the NBA. Curry was very involved in the development of their basketball skills throughout their upbringing.

In 1995, Dell and Sonya Curry founded the Christian Montessori School of Lake Norman, a Montessori preschool in Huntersville, North Carolina. In 1998, Curry established the Dell Curry Foundation, a youth-oriented program in Charlotte, North Carolina. The foundation runs five different learning centers in the Charlotte area that provide educational training and drug abuse counseling.

On August 23, 2021, Dell and Sonya Curry announced their divorce after 33 years of marriage.

While details on specific real estate holdings, investments, or assets contributing to Dell Curry’s $8 million net worth are not publicly available, his successful NBA career, business ventures like the Christian Montessori School, and his charitable foundation likely play a significant role in his overall financial picture.

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