Official announcements from the Toronto Raptors or NBA press releases

Raptors Retire Vince Carter's No. 15, First in Team History, Honoring 'Air Canada' Legend

Nov 3, 2024, 12:45 AM

Vince Carter's jersey number 15 was officially retired by the Toronto Raptors on Saturday night, making him the first player in franchise history to receive this honor. The ceremony at Scotiabank Arena featured former teammates and NBA legends, including Tracy McGrady, DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry, and LeBron James, who praised Carter's impact on basketball in Canada. The Raptors unveiled a special mural and played a tribute video that included heartfelt messages from DeRozan and Lowry, eliciting enthusiastic reactions from fans. Air Canada honored Carter, nicknamed "Air Canada," with a special aircraft livery that will be part of its fleet for six months. During the ceremony, Carter shared emotional moments with his family, particularly his son, and became tearful while expressing gratitude to the fans. The banner raised to the rafters featured the iconic image from his 2000 Slam Dunk Contest victory, symbolizing his lasting legacy. Masai Ujiri, the Raptors' president, lauded Carter as a "legend" and "icon," calling him "half man, half amazing." The retirement of Carter's jersey cements his significant influence on the Raptors organization and the growth of basketball in Canada.