Vince Carter's No. 15 to Soar in Raptors' Rafters as First-Ever Jersey Retirement!

Vince Carter, the former Toronto Raptors star and Hall of Famer, is set to have his iconic No. 15 jersey retired by the NBA team this season, according to multiple media reports.

The 47-year-old legend will be honoured on November 2, marking the first time a Raptors player has ever received such an accolade.

Carter is widely credited with putting the Raptors on the map during his time with the team, igniting excitement for basketball across Canada.

His electrifying performances and unmatched athleticism captured the hearts of many fans, leading to his nickname "Air Canada."

"You play 22 years, there's a lot of moments that have happened that have been influential and close to my heart."

Vince Carter on what it means to be inducted into the @Hoophall! pic.twitter.com/5xyLL32Eql

— NBA (@NBA) April 6, 2024

However, the decision to retire his jersey has stirred mixed emotions among the fanbase and media, as some still recall his contentious exit from the team in December 2004.

Carter's departure from Toronto came after he was traded to the New Jersey Nets (now Brooklyn) early in the 2004-05 season, with some claiming that he "quit" on the Raptors.

The trade yielded a disappointing return for Toronto, leaving a bitter taste for many.

Despite this, Carter's legacy remains strong, with his contributions during his 403 games with the team earning him 23.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.

Carter was known for his thrilling dunks, perhaps most memorably winning the 2000 NBA slam dunk contest with a jaw-dropping 360-degree windmill jam.

His high-flying abilities were a key factor in building the Raptors' early success and bringing attention to Canadian basketball.

Debuting with the Raptors in 1998 after being traded from Golden State during that year's draft, Carter quickly made an impact, earning NBA Rookie of the Year honours in 1998-99.

He became an eight-time NBA All-Star from 2000 to 2007 and was regarded as the franchise's first superstar.

Though his career was marked by incredible athleticism, even after his explosiveness diminished, Carter evolved into a reliable veteran role player.

He retired after the 2019-20 season, concluding a 22-year career that saw him play for eight NBA teams, including Dallas, Memphis, Orlando, Sacramento, Phoenix, and Atlanta.

Notably, he is the only player in NBA history to compete in four different decades.

Carter's career totals include 25,728 points over 1,541 games, with averages of 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and one steal per game.

Carter will also be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame next month, adding to the celebrations.

Additionally, his No. 15 jersey is set to be retired by the Brooklyn Nets in January.

Despite his mixed departure, Carter still holds the Raptors' single-season scoring record with 27.6 points per game in 2000-01 and ranks fourth in franchise history with 9,420 points.