The Toronto Raptors officially announced they will retire Vince Carter’s No. 15 jersey this season.
The announcement was made at the unveiling of Carter’s refurbished court in Dixon Park, which was originally built by Carter’s Embassy of Hope Foundation in 2003.
In anticipation of the event, the Raptors hung Carter’s No. 15 jersey in certain spots across Toronto.
Carter was in attendance along with Raptors president Masai Ujiri and many of the current Raptors players including Kelly Olynyk, Gradey Dick, Immanuel Quickley and Ja’Kobe Walter.
Carter got emotional when Ujiri talked about the franchise retiring his jersey this season, via Sports Illustrated’s Aaron Rose:
Vince Carter gets emotional as the Raptors announce they’re retiring his jersey. pic.twitter.com/NRWUD20AmH
— 𝐀𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞 (@AaronBenRose) September 27, 2024
Carter’s jersey will be lifted to the rafters at Scotiabank Arena at halftime when the Raptors host the Sacramento Kings on Nov. 2.
Carter was an eight-time all-star and spent seven seasons with the Raptors. He was named NBA rookie of the year in 1999 and won the Slam Dunk Contest in 2000.
He was the Raptors’ first superstar and he raised the profile of the team while helping grow the game of basketball across Canada.
Carter led the Raptors to one playoff series win. He had a chance to beat the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2001, but he missed a shot at the buzzer.
Carter asked for a trade in 2004 and was dealt to the New Jersey Nets in a mid-season trade that saw the Raptors get little in return. The Nets, who are now in Brooklyn, will also retire Carter’s jersey this season in January.
The 47-year-old played 22 seasons in the NBA before retiring in 2020. He’ll be entering the Basketball Hall of Fame next month.
Ja’Kobe Walter injured during informal workouts
Toronto Raptors rookie Ja’Kobe Walter will miss the start of training camp.
Walter sprained his acromioclavicular joint during informal workouts this week and he will not participate in on-court activities during the start of training camp which begins on Oct. 1, according to Sportsnet’s Blake Murphy.
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