Vince Carter to Be First Raptors Player with Retired Jersey, Execs Disagree

The Toronto Raptors are set to retire Vince Carter’s No. 15 jersey on November 2, when they host the Sacramento Kings. This move comes as Carter is about to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame next month. The retirement of Carter’s jersey marks a historic moment for the Raptors, as it will be the first in the franchise’s history, coinciding with the team’s 30th anniversary during the coming season.

Established as an expansion team in 1993, the Raptors faced significant challenges in their early years, finishing their first three seasons with a record of 67 wins to 179 losses. However, a draft night trade that brought Carter, originally selected by the Golden State Warriors, to Toronto proved to be a turning point for the franchise.

Carter quickly made a name for himself, earning Rookie of the Year honors and leading Toronto to its first playoff appearance in his second season. He became a first-time All-Star that year, setting off a streak that saw him make the All-Star team six times during his tenure with the Raptors. Carter played a pivotal role in guiding the team to the playoffs three times, even reaching the second round once.

During his time in Toronto, Carter became renowned as one of the most electrifying players of his generation. His unmatched athleticism produced spectacular dunks that earned him the nickname “Air Canada.” His performance in the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest, which featured a breathtaking 360-degree dunk between his legs, remains one of the most memorable moments in the competition’s history.

Carter, who continued to play until 2020, is predominantly associated with the Raptors, having spent seven seasons with them—the longest duration at any team in his 22-season NBA career. Unfortunately, his relationship with the franchise soured towards the end of his stint, leading to his request for a trade, which sent him to the New Jersey Nets.

This request framed Carter as a villain in the eyes of Raptors fans, particularly after the return package included players like Alonzo Mourning—who never played for the team—alongside Aaron Williams and Eric Williams, plus two first-round draft picks. Whenever Carter returned to Toronto in subsequent years, he was met with a chorus of boos. It wasn’t until 2014, on the team’s 20th anniversary, that Raptors fans began to embrace him again, welcoming him with cheers.

Although relations have improved between Carter and the city, there remains some debate about whether he should be the first player to have his jersey retired. Some influential members of the Raptors’ organization believed that Kyle Lowry, who led the team to its first championship in 2019, should receive this honor instead. However, with Lowry still active in the league and Carter being inducted into the Hall of Fame, the timing felt appropriate for the Raptors to move forward with honoring Carter now.

In a notable twist, Carter will have his jersey retired by two franchises this season. The Brooklyn Nets plan to retire his No. 15 jersey on January 25, following a game against the Miami Heat. To ensure they retire his jersey first, the Raptors strategically chose the November date, blocking out another potential ceremony that was considered for October 25 against the Philadelphia 76ers with Lowry in attendance.