The Toronto Raptors will honor Vince Carter.
The Raptors will reportedly retire Carter’s No. 15 jersey on Nov. 2 when the Sacramento Kings come to Scotiabank Arena, per TSN’s Josh Lewenberg:
The Raptors will retire Vince Carter’s No. 15 when they host Sacramento on Nov. 2, sources tell TSN.
Nearly 26 years after scoring the first ever basket at Scotiabank Arena, VC will be the first player in the franchise’s 30-year history to have his jersey go into the rafters. pic.twitter.com/0YGEPSPTap
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) September 23, 2024
The Raptors decision to retire Carter’s jersey came after the Brooklyn Nets announced they will retire the 47-year-old’s jersey on Jan. 25 of 2025.
Carter’s jersey will be the first retired by the Raptors. He will join the 19 members of the Toronto Maple Leafs who have had their jerseys raised to the rafters.
As the Raptors get ready for their 30th anniversary season, team president Masai Ujiri previously hinted that the team was going to honor Carter this season. The Raptors are planning multiple special events to celebrate their 30 years in the NBA.
Carter was the No. 5 pick of the 1998 NBA Draft and was traded to Toronto on draft night in a deal that sent the No. 4 pick Antawn Jamison to the Golden State Warriors.
Carter reached superstardom in Toronto. He became a major icon thanks to his high-flying play and electrifying dunks. Carter helped grow the game of basketball across Canada and put the Raptors on the map.
Unfortunately, Carter’s tenure in Toronto ended in controversial fashion. As a result he was traded to the New Jersey Nets in 2004. The trade return was very underwhelming for the Raptors and it will go down as arguably the worst trade in franchise history. Carter’s departure from the Raptors rubbed fans the wrong way and he was booed every time he returned to Toronto.
However, since time has passed, Carter and Raptors fans appear to be on good terms now.
Carter is set to enter the Basketball Hall of Fame next month.
NBA announces event in Montreal
The NBA has announced its plans for “Maison NBA,” which is an interactive and free cultural experience set to debut in Montreal from Oct. 4 to Oct. 6.
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