UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Vince Carter vividly recalls the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest, an event that catapulted him from a promising player to a full-blown superstar.
Having just been named the NBA Rookie of the Year with the Toronto Raptors the previous season, Carter made his All-Star debut. Yet, it was his jaw-dropping dunk in Oakland—so impressive that he put his arm through the rim—that became an iconic moment in basketball history and a cornerstone of his illustrious 20-year career.
“The dunk contest transformed my life overnight,” Carter shared during a press conference at Mohegan Sun Casino, where he discussed his impending induction into the Hall of Fame.
Carter represents those athletes who hit the ground running right after being drafted, maintaining momentum throughout their careers, eventually culminating in an NBA-record 22 seasons played.
Conversely, there are players like Chauncey Billups, who had a more tumultuous start.
Selected as the No. 3 pick in the 1997 draft, Billups faced a rough initiation, being traded by Boston in his debut season and bouncing around among four teams in his first four seasons.
The pathways to the Hall of Fame can vary greatly. However, Billups eventually found stability and will be recognized alongside Carter as key figures in the Hall’s 13-member class, being honored in Springfield, Massachusetts—a place where his own NBA journey began rather unfavorably, with some critics even labeling him a bust.
Now the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, Billups reflects on his journey fondly. “It’s my unique path,” he stated. “Everyone’s experiences are different. The road has been tough for me since the moment I was drafted; it was not a crowded road.”
Joining the duo of Carter and Billups in the Hall of Fame class are Lakers defensive stalwart Michael Cooper, prolific scorer Walter Davis from the Phoenix Suns, and former Knicks champion Dick Barnett. Additionally, WNBA legends Seimone Augustus and Michele Timms will be inducted, along with Jerry West, who is recognized as a contributor—marking his third enshrinement, previously inducted as a player and as part of the 1960 U.S. Olympic team. Other inductees include coaches Bo Ryan and Harley Redin from college basketball, high school standout Charles Smith, and Pacers owner Herb Simon.
As Augustus prepares for the induction ceremony, her attention is partially split, as her former team, the Minnesota Lynx, will be facing off in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals in New York.
“I’m receiving numerous messages wishing they could attend,” Augustus relayed, adding that her response was simply for them to focus on winning Game 2 and aiming for another championship.
Billups boasts an NBA Finals MVP title from the Detroit Pistons’ 2004 championship victory. He was also selected as an All-Star five times during his time with the Pistons and the Denver Nuggets, achievements that came after a rocky beginning to his career.
He played 51 games in Boston before moving to Toronto, with brief stops in Denver and Minnesota prior to his Detroit arrival. Despite questions surrounding his identity as a point guard, he remained resolute.
“It just didn’t translate quickly, but I never let their doubts affect me,” Billups stated. “I kept pushing and fighting until things turned around.”
While Carter has yet to win a championship like Billups or Cooper—who captured five with the Lakers—he emphasizes that his motivation did not stem from chasing titles.
“I played the game for my love of it, not for money or rings,” Carter explained.
Originally hoping for a 15-year NBA career, Carter found himself sticking around longer, eventually becoming the first player in league history to play across four decades.
Although the dunk contest remains a highlight of his career, it is matched by another remarkable feat from the same year—a spectacular slam over France’s Frederic Weis that helped secure an Olympic gold medal for the U.S. team.
Carter had been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to shine, often staying up late to watch and record prior All-Star Saturday nights. He approached his moment with the seriousness of game day, including his customary afternoon nap.
When the time came to perform, he brought his best, revealing he had not even practiced the famous arm-through-the-rim dunk before that night.
“In that moment, I felt a surge of excitement and hype that was on another level,” he recounted. “I sensed the routine I practiced wouldn’t win, so I decided to take a risk, and thankfully, we’re here today celebrating that choice.”
