Report: Raptors to retire Vince Carter's jersey
The Toronto Raptors will retire Vince Carter's No. 15 in their Nov. 2 contest against the Sacramento Kings, making it the first NBA jersey to hang from Scotiabank Arena's rafters, sources told TSN's Josh Lewenberg.
The Raptors acquired Carter, the fifth overall pick in 1998, in a draft-day trade. He scored the first-ever basket at the arena and spent seven seasons with the team, averaging 23.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. The 6-foot-6 guard was named an All-Star in six of those seven campaigns and helped Toronto to its inaugural playoff appearance in just his second season. He then led the Raptors to their first-ever playoff series victory the following year.
Carter was also named the Rookie of the Year in 1999 - the only Toronto campaign in which he didn't make an All-Star team.
Nicknamed "Half Man, Half Amazing" for his iconic performance in the 2000 Slam Dunk contest, Carter was one of the most electric players in the league during his Canadian tenure.
(2000) 19 years ago today, Vince Carter shut DOWN the NBA Dunk Contest.
β Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) February 12, 2019
"IT'S OVER!" π£ pic.twitter.com/XIObsnqmb1
Nov. 2 will also mark the first time that Raptors icon DeMar DeRozan plays in Toronto as a member of the Kings after he inked a three-year, $74-million deal with Sacramento this offseason.
The Brooklyn Nets, who acquired Carter from the Raptors during the 2004-05 season, also announced they will retire his number on Jan. 25, 2025.
The former North Carolina Tar Heel will also be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in October.
Carter played for eight teams during his career and currently holds the record for most seasons in the NBA (22).