Stephen Curry spent part of his New Year’s Eve week back in North Carolina, with Davidson choosing the moment to make a permanent statement.
On Tuesday, officials formally renamed Interstate 77 Exit 30 as the Stephen Curry Interchange, the highway exit that leads directly to Davidson College.
The Golden State Warriors star returned to campus a day before facing the Charlotte Hornets, his only game in the city this season.
The honour places Curry’s name on one of the main routes into the town, where his basketball career first caught national attention.
“This is my forever home,” Curry said, according to the Charlotte Observer.
“For me to be able to represent so many people who made this possible, I hope that that’s what they feel. A diploma is one thing. An elite achievement is another thing. This is another. I might be stealing the sign to take it home.”
Davidson marks Curry’s legacy
Exit 30 was selected deliberately, matching the jersey number Curry has worn throughout his career. Officials unveiled the sign during a ceremony near campus, with a halftime recognition later held at Davidson’s home game that evening.
Curry attended alongside family members, including his wife Ayesha, and several Warriors teammates who travelled with him. The event reflected Davidson’s ongoing relationship with the player who helped reshape its basketball program.
Between 2006 and 2009, Curry turned the Wildcats into a national story. His 2008 NCAA Tournament run to the Elite Eight remains one of the defining moments of modern March Madness.
Roots that still matter
Although Curry was born in Akron, Ohio, he grew up in Charlotte while his father, Dell Curry, starred for the Hornets. He attended Charlotte Christian High School before committing to Davidson, a decision that changed the trajectory of both player and program.
After three college seasons, Curry entered the 2009 NBA Draft and went seventh overall to the Warriors. Early ankle injuries slowed his rise, but he later became a four-time NBA champion and one of the most influential players in league history.
Despite that success, his connection to Davidson never faded.
Earlier this year, Curry became the assistant general manager of Davidson’s basketball program, making him the first active professional athlete to hold an administrative role within an NCAA team.
He also helps oversee the Curry-Berman NIL Fund, an eight-figure initiative supporting student-athletes through name, image, and likeness opportunities.
A timely homecoming
The ceremony came just ahead of Curry’s return to Charlotte with the Warriors, where he faces the Hornets on Wednesday night.
In 17 career games in Charlotte, Curry averages over 25 points, while Golden State entered the matchup on a multi-game winning streak against the Hornets.
For Davidson, the renamed interchange stands as a permanent reminder of Curry’s impact.
