TORONTO — In a heartfelt ceremony, Vince Carter expressed his mixed emotions regarding his departure from Toronto as the Raptors honored him by retiring his No. 15 jersey during halftime of the game against Sacramento. This moment marked the first time a jersey has been retired by the franchise.
“I want everyone to know that this isn’t just about Carter 15; it’s about all of us,” Carter said to the enthusiastic crowd moments before a banner bearing his name and number was elevated to the rafters. “Tonight, all those memories we share ascend together. I wish for us to celebrate the retirement of this jersey forever as one.”
As he commenced the ceremony, Carter walked to the center of the court, gesturing for the crowd to cheer him on. He then raised his fists and enthusiastically shouted “Come on!” in response to their encouragement.
The ceremony was attended by his former teammates, including Tracy McGrady, Antonio Davis, Kevin Willis, Charles Oakley, Morris Peterson, Dee Brown, Jerome Williams, Alvin Williams, and Muggsy Bogues. Raptors president Masai Ujiri also shared the court, joining Carter and his family during this special occasion.
Ujiri introduced Carter to the crowd, stating, “He taught us how to fly.” The moment was filled with emotion as Carter had to pause repeatedly during a pre-game press conference, fighting back tears. He called his son, Vincent Jr., to the podium, embracing him as they shared a touching moment.
Carter, who carved out a monumental NBA career spanning four decades—an unparalleled feat—initially spent over six years with the Raptors during his remarkable 22 seasons in the league. He earned the title of Rookie of the Year in 1999 and gained fame as an All-Star and Slam Dunk champion in his second season, lifting the team to its first playoff appearance.
Despite facing a quick postseason exit against the Knicks initially, Carter and the Raptors rallied the following spring for a memorable upset, winning Game 5 at Madison Square Garden. Reflecting on that victory, Carter noted it remains one of his fondest memories from his time in Toronto.
“Facing the challenge posed by (former Knicks coach) Mr. Jeff Van Gundy was tough, but winning that series was an exhilarating experience,” Carter remarked.
Carter’s influence on basketball in Canada is undeniable, inspiring many future NBA stars such as Tristan Thompson, former Raptors guard Cory Joseph, and current Raptors forward Kelly Olynyk.
“The legacy continues to flourish,” Carter stated. “This honor is like the cherry on top.”
Numerous players paid tribute to Carter, including Stephen Curry and former Raptors stars Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, who featured in a congratulatory video prior to the on-court ceremony. Thompson remarked, “I wouldn’t be where I am today without you.”
Throughout his early career in Toronto, Carter was famously dubbed “Air Canada” for his spectacular dunks. However, injuries led to a decline in his performance, causing frustration among fans as he began opting for jump shots instead of driving to the hoop.
In December 2004, Carter was traded to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Alonzo Mourning, Eric Williams, Aaron Williams, and a couple of first-round draft picks. Mourning never actually played for the Raptors.
For years, Toronto fans held bitterness towards Carter after he sought a trade, but a decade later, he began to mend fences during a visit with the Memphis Grizzlies in November 2014. During the Raptors’ 20th-anniversary celebration, the organization honored him with a tribute video that received a mixed response of boos and cheers from the crowd. An emotional Carter raised his arms to the applause and wiped tears away from his eyes.
Carter choked back tears again while reflecting on that pivotal moment during his halftime speech, remarking on the emotions stirred by seeing those highlights in the very arena where his career took flight.
Carter made the decision to retire in 2020 at the age of 43 and was recently inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Earlier on Saturday, a mural depicting Carter was unveiled in downtown Toronto, alongside the recent revitalization of Vince Carter Court in a local park.