The day is here. The Golden State Warriors are going to immortalize the No. 9 jersey in the Bay Area.
Andre Iguodala, who retired from playing the game of basketball in October of 2023, was integral in the Warriors’ dynasty.
The four-time NBA champion, all of which came with Golden State, even captured an NBA Finals MVP honor after the team’s first championship victory.
As the Warriors host the Dallas Mavericks — where Klay Thompson currently plays — Iguodala will become the seventh player in Golden State history to have his jersey in the rafters.
What Steve Kerr said about Iguodala
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was able to talk about Iguodala before the ceremony and contest against the Mavericks.
“The main thing when I see that photo is just recognizing how much Andre meant to us on and off the court — just the sacrifices he made for the good of a group,” Kerr said. “…I’ll always be grateful for coaching him.”
Stephen Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green will each join Iguodala in having their jerseys immortalized by the franchise when they retire from the league.
Iguodala spent eight seasons in the Bay Area, winning a title in half of those seasons. He averaged 6.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists in that span.
Warriors owner Joe Lacob was incredibly complimentary of the forward in a statement when announcing the ceremony.
“Andre will go down as one of the smartest, shrewdest and most unique and successful players ever to wear a Warriors uniform,” Lacob said. “We thought all of that could be true when we acquired him in 2013, but the reality — four titles, six Finals appearances, a Finals MVP — exceeded even our wildest imaginations.
“He was the perfect player and person at the perfect time for our team, and the sacrifice he made in coming off the bench in 2014 sent a message that he came here to help us do one thing: win. The proof is in the rafters, and his number belongs alongside the banners he helped us raise.”