The Toronto Raptors and Vince Carter are making history by making Carter the first Raptor to get his jersey retired.
Carter’s jersey announcement was made during the reveal of the refurbished Vince Carter court at Dixon Park.
The ceremony will happen on Nov. 2. During that day, Toronto will host a game against former Raptor DeMar DeRozan and the Sacramento Kings.
TSN’s Josh Lewenberg broke the news earlier this week. the announcement was made official today.
Carter is also the 15th player to get his jersey retired by multiple teams since the Brooklyn Nets are also hanging his jersey up to the rafters later this season.
The jersey retirement will be a part of the Raptors’ plan to celebrate their 30th season.
Many fans would have preferred that the Raptors waited a couple more years to have Kyle Lowry be the first Raptor to retire his jersey instead.
But those fans cannot deny that this season is the perfect year for Toronto to have their first-ever jersey retirement.
And since Lowry is still playing in the league, Carter is the perfect candidate to get his jersey hung up to the rafters.
There could be an argument that Damon Stoudamire should be the first Raptor to get his jersey retired since he’s the first player to get drafted by the Raptors.
But Carter means more to the franchise than Stoudamire. Stoudamire was only a Raptor for three seasons while Carter played for seven.
Yes, Stoudamire was the first ever Raptor to win the Rookie of the Year award during the 1995-96 season. But Carter received more individual accomplishments as well as team accomplishments.
During Carter’s time as a Raptor, he won the 1998-99 Rookie of the Year award. the following season, Carter was the first Raptor to be selected as an All-Star.
Carter is most famous for his performance at the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk competition. That dunk is recognized as one of the best contests in NBA history. It’s still being talked about today.
The same year, Carter got the Raptors to their first-ever playoff appearance. And the following year, he helped Toronto win their first-ever playoff round.
Carter is the first Raptor to make the All-NBA third team in the 1999-00 season and second team in the 2000-01 season. He also made the All-Rookie first team in the 1998-99 season.
Based on his accomplishments alone, Carter deserves to be the first Raptor to get his jersey retired. It will be great to see the number 15 jersey going to the rafters on Nov. 2.
