Raptors Retire Vince Carter's Jersey
Photo Credit: Toronto Raptors
On Nov. 2, the Toronto Raptors will honor one of their most iconic players, Vince Carter, by retiring his jersey during a matchup against the Sacramento Kings. This occasion marks the first time a player’s jersey will be retired in the team’s history, and is part of a season-long celebration commemorating Vince Carter during the Raptors' 30th anniversary.
Carter's NBA journey spanned 22 seasons, during which he played for eight teams. He is most closely associated with the Raptors, where he spent the first six and a half years of his career after being acquired in a draft day trade in 1998. According to SportsNet, he collected multiple achievements during his time in Toronto, including: the Rookie of the Year Award, six All-Star selections, Slam Dunk Contest champion, and the franchise record for points with an average of 23.4 points made per game. Carter retired with a total of 25,728 career points, placing him 21st in NBA history.
In honour of Carter, the Raptors’ rededicated their basketball court in Dixon Park, Toronto, to him. Originally opened in 2003 and funded by the Raptors Foundation and Carter’s Embassy of Hope, the court has been renovated and enhanced with additional 3x3 courts. Carter was in attendance for the ceremony, highlighting his personal commitment to fostering youth basketball in Toronto.
“This is such a luxury to have, and it’s so precious for us,” Dixon Park resident Ahmed Abdullahi told the Toronto Star. “Think about it. [Carter] could have built it anywhere else in the city, but he chose here. We’re very lucky.”
In addition to the jersey retirement, the Raptors will unveil special "City Edition" jerseys. These jerseys will be brandished with an image of the Raptor’s mascot imitating Carter's legendary between-the-legs dunk from the 2000 NBA Dunk Contest. The team will wear these jerseys during a home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Feb. 12.
Carter was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in October, where he is representing Toronto. Following the Raptors' ceremony, he will also have his jersey retired by the Brooklyn Nets on Jan. 25, 2025, making him the first player in NBA history to have two jerseys retired in the same season.
“It all started there,” Carter said during his hall of fame speech. “I had some memorable moments with that organization, which created Vinsanity, which is why, without a doubt, I’m going into the Hall of Fame as a Raptor.”
The Nov. 2 game against the Kings promises to be a memorable event, not just for Raptors fans but for basketball enthusiasts everywhere. With DeMar DeRozan and other stars in attendance, it will be a night to remember as Toronto pays homage to one of its greatest athletes.