By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Toronto Raptors will be giving future NBA Hall of Famer Vince Carter the recognition he deserves after announcing a jersey retirement ceremony that will take place on November 2, 2024.
Carter transcended the sport of basketball in Toronto when he was drafted in 1998 and will finally have his jersey no. 15 immortalized during the halftime of the Raptors-Kings matchup.
After his illustrious 22-year career in the league, Carter made history after becoming the first NBA athlete from the Raptors to have his jersey retired.
Carter already ascended to the pantheon of basketball greats after leading the list of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
Throughout his tenure, he played for eight different franchises, but his legacy is most closely associated with his iconic performances for the Raptors and the New Jersey Nets.
Selected fifth overall in the 1998 NBA draft, Carter rapidly captured the spotlight with his extraordinary leaping ability and electrifying dunks. His time with the Raptors catapulted him to fame, where he earned the monikers “Air Canada” and “Half Man, Half Amazing.”
During his stint with Toronto, Carter propelled the Raptors to several playoff appearances in the Eastern Conference but encountered tough opposition from Allen Iverson’s Sixers and Ray Allen’s Bucks.
Later, Carter was traded to the Nets, where he joined forces with Jason Kidd and Kenyon Martin to create a powerful lineup, though they did not secure a championship win.
After his appearances in Toronto and New Jersey, Carter had brief periods with the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, and Atlanta Hawks.
Carter’s career was marked by eight All-Star selections, two All-NBA team honors, a victory in the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest, and an Olympic gold medal in 2000.
