The Toronto Raptors on Saturday night, retired Vince Carter’s iconic No. 15 jersey in a ceremony at halftime of their 131-128 win over the Sacramento Kings at Scotiabank Arena, Afrosport reports.
The Canada-based team held a grand ceremony in front of a packed crowd that had former Raptors players, coaches, and executives, as Carter’s jersey was hung in the rafters, becoming the first ever to be retired in franchise history.
The moment when you have the first jersey retired in Raptors history #15Forever 💜 pic.twitter.com/1E0IC6hDqt
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) November 3, 2024
“He is a legend, he’s an icon, he’s half-man-half-amazing,” said Raptors president Masai Ujiri at the start of the halftime event. “He taught us how to fly and those who don’t know how to fly, he taught us to dream how to fly.”
Carter, who was recently inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, played in the NBA for 22 years before retiring in 2020 while with the Atlanta Hawks.
His journey in the NBA, however, began in Toronto, where he played seven seasons from 1998-2004, and led the team to its first ever playoff series win in 2001.
“June 24, 1998 was the day all my dreams became a reality,” an emotional Carter said. “Hearing my name called by Mr. David Stern is everything young athletes dream of and I got that opportunity.
“It’s because of you, Mr. Larry Tanenbaum (Raptors Chairman) and Mr. Glen Grunwald (Raptors General Manager at the time), I got that opportunity.”
Carter won the Rookie of the Year award, and was named to the All-Rookie First Team in his early days in Toronto. He was also named an All-Star five times (2000-2004) during his time with the Raptors as well as making being selected twice to the All-NBA Team.
“November 19, 2014 was a day that I’ll never forget,” he added. Standing right here, watching that video, tearing up. My heart was full of joy to finally have that moment with you all. It was the thing that I always wanted and the feeling I wanted us all to have, which got us to where we are today.
“An unbelievable day that has never been experienced here on the basketball side. I’m honored that we can finally share this moment together, finally.”
Carter averaged 23.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 403 career games for the Raptors. He was named to eight All-Star teams, won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, and won an Olympic gold medal (both in 2000).
