Vince Carter is the first Raptors player to have his jersey retired: How he got here

The Toronto Raptors retired Vince Carter's No. 15 during a 23-minute halftime ceremony in Saturday's game against the Sacramento Kings. Carter is the first player to receive this award from the franchise.

Carter hugged his children as the banner with his last name, jersey number and a photo of one of his dunks in the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest, which he won, was hung from the arena's rafters.

“When the jersey goes up shortly, it’s not just about Carter, 15. “It goes up for all of us,” Carter told fans. “The memories six years in the making come flooding back tonight no matter how you look at it.”

“I hope and pray that we can enjoy wearing our jersey together forever.”

As he walked onto the pitch, the home fans gave Carter a huge ovation, which immediately brought tears to Carter's eyes. He clenched his fists and let out a primal screen in response to the reception.

15 FOREVER 💜 pic.twitter.com/BzPqChYj5q

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) November 3, 2024

Shortly afterwards, a video played on the screen above the field. It included messages from DeMar DeRozan, who currently plays for the Kings, Kyle Lowry, Scottie Barnes, Tristan Thompson, Stephen Curry and Glen Grunwald, the manager who signed Carter to the Raptors in the 1998 NBA draft.

Carter's former Raptors teammates Charles Oakley, Doug Christie, Jerome Williams, Dee Brown, Kevin Willis, Muggsy Bogues, Antonio Davis, Alvin Williams, Morris Peterson and Tracy McGrady were in attendance. Raptors global brand ambassador Drake was at the arena for the first time in five Raptors home games.

Carter's wife, two daughters, son, mother and stepfather, and other family members also watched the ceremony from the floor.

Celebrating a legend #15Forever pic.twitter.com/jV8h9vVI1e

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) November 3, 2024

While Carter's career spanned a league-record 22 seasons and had several highlights after his departure from Toronto, his time in Canada produced the most memorable moments, including one of the best performances at the league's Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend in 2000 Oakland, California.

“I know people saw me come in as a 21-year-old, leave as a 27-year-old and quit as a 43-year-old – do the math – it was emotional,” Carter said before the game.

As a Raptor, Carter won Rookie of the Year honors in the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season and was named an All-Star five times. He received the most votes from fans for the event several times. Carter played 403 regular season games and 15 playoff games for the Raptors, leading them to the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2001, their furthest in the playoffs until 2016.

However, Carter's time in Toronto was complicated, starting with that playoff run when he graduated from the University of North Carolina on the day of Game 7 of the series against the Philadelphia 76ers. Carter had a slip Night and missed the game-winning shot as time expired.

Carter's last three-plus seasons in Toronto were marred by injuries and disappointments, ultimately leading to a trade to the New Jersey Nets in December 2004. Shortly after the move, Carter told TNT that he didn't always put in as much effort as he should have in Toronto. He was loudly booed for almost an hour decade before those boos turned into cheers when the club recognized him upon his return to the Memphis Grizzlies in Toronto's 20th season. This is the Raptors' 30th season.

“To be honest, this is what I wanted more than anything,” Carter said his formal reconnection with his first N.B.A team at the introduction of a renovated court was named after him last month. “I’ve had six crazy years here, period. And for those who know me…you know my love. It’s just hard to put it into words.”

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In October, Carter was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

There was debate over whether the Raptors should retire Carter's jersey, particularly in front of that of Kyle Lowry, the longtime Raptor who helped the franchise win its only NBA championship. However, Lowry is still playing in the NBA. Lowry, now with the Philadelphia 76ers, said last week that he was thinking about Carter earned The Recognition from the Raptors. On Saturday, Carter said he spoke with Lowry but did not reveal details of their conversation.

“I’m not going to say what he said because it’s not made for television,” Carter said. “We all know he deserves to have his number retired.”

The Brooklyn Nets announced in early September that they would also be retiring Carter's number on January 25th. 2025, in a game against the Miami Heat. According to Carter, he asked the Nets not hold the ceremony The Raptors give up too early in the season the chance To Honor Him first if they decided to do so.

Carter's lack of responsibility for his game and Behave Leading up to the trade, there was a major sticking point for Raptors fans who don't think Carter's number should be retired. “Let's get together for a change,” Carter said in November, adding, “That's fair” when asked about fans who didn't think he deserved the jersey retirement.

“We have a great opportunity. This is something that has never happened (for the Raptors). So let's celebrate it more than turning around Nose high included and have your opinion on it It because it has never happened before. I’m just really grateful to be a part of it.”

For Saturday's game, the Raptors wore the black and purple jerseys they wore for most of Carter's stay in Toronto.

Carter ranks fourth in franchise history in points scored (9,420) and first in points per game (23.4). In his 2000-01 season, he averaged 27.6 points and 5.5 rebounds And 3.9 assists per game Is Widely considered to be the Raptors' best single season, it ranks first in points per game, first in player efficiency rating (25.0) and win shares (12.9), among others.

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(Photo: John E. Sokolowski / Imagn Images)