In sports, retiring a jersey is akin to crowning a player unforgettable. For the Golden State Warriors, Stephen Curry’s splash and Klay Thompson’s fire didn’t build their dynasty alone. Another hero stepped up. A silent force. Andre Iguodala. The glue that held it all together. Four championships in eight years? His fingerprints are all over them. And now, the Warriors have a little surprise up their sleeve for their forever star.

At 30, Andre Iguodala joined the Warriors for his 10th NBA season, unaware of the magic that was about to unfold. He became a cornerstone of a dynasty, a team that would charge through five straight Finals, claiming three glorious titles. Andre’s grit and poise shone brightest when it mattered most, earning him a well-deserved Finals MVP. After a brief detour with the Miami Heat, home called him back. Returning to Golden State, he got to witness the Warriors clinch a fourth title, sealing his legacy as the heartbeat of a team that changed the game forever.

On Tuesday, Warriors insider for The Athletic, Anthony Slater, reported, “The first of what is expected to be five jersey retirements from the Golden State Warriors dynasty has been announced.” He added, “The franchise will retire Andre Iguodala’s No.9 jersey on Feb. 23. This will coincide with another Klay Thompson return night, allowing Thompson to attend.”

Iguodala will be a ‘knighted’ Warrior in a postgame ceremony on February 23. Mark the calendar because it’s the day when the Dallas Mavericks will face the Warriors. Therefore, expect the former Splash Brothers Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson to be present as their former teammate turns into a league legend, and an eternal icon for the Dub Nation.

“I’m just the oldest,” the 41-year-old millionaire said of the special honor he’s about to receive. “Mark Jackson’s favorite line was: ‘Father Time is undefeated.’ It worked to my benefit this time in terms of being the first one.” Iguodala will become the seventh player in the franchise’s history to have his jersey number retired. He is joining Alvin Attles (No. 16), Rick Barry  (No. 24), Wilt Chamberlain (No. 16), Tom Meschery (No. 14), Chris Mullin (No. 17), and Nate Thurmond (No. 42).

One more thing to note here is that Andre Iguodala’s sacrifices to build the Warriors dynasty are truly paying off. Right about time!

Golden State Warriors perfect gesture for Iguodala’s initial selfless act for the team

Entering the 2014–15 NBA season, Steve Kerr made a bold move. He dropped Andre Iguodala from the starting lineup. For the first time in his career, Andre was no longer a starter. Naturally, it was shocking. He’d been the cornerstone of every team he’d played for. However, Kerr saw something different. He chose Harrison Barnes to take the starting forward spot. Meanwhile, Andre? He’d come off the bench, determined to prove that even in a new role, his impact would still be undeniable.

“I’m constantly getting stopped by folks and they say: ‘You really helped me raise my children in terms of like, bringing a proper approach, doing something at a high level, teamwork, discipline.’ Sacrifice is probably the biggest thing that is used in regards to me,” Iguodala shared. So, maybe the ex-Warriors star’s sacrifice for the team has inspired the people of the Bay Area into disciplined patience.

Andre Iguodala’s jersey retirement honors more than just his skill—it celebrates his sacrifice and leadership. From coming off the bench to winning Finals MVP, he shaped the Warriors’’dynasty. Therefore, on February 23, he’ll be the first of five stars to have his jersey retired. His legacy, built on grit and sacrifice, has inspired generations. Now, the Warriors give back to the man who held it all together.