Vince Carter Inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame, Raptors to Retire No. 15 Jersey at Scotiabank Arena

‍Vince Carter, one of the most electrifying players in Toronto Raptors history, has officially been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. During an emotional speech (watch the full speech here), Carter reflected on his journey, from the early days of "Vinsanity" to becoming a pivotal figure in Canadian basketball. His legacy is cemented not only with his Hall of Fame status but also by the upcoming retirement of his iconic No. 15 Raptors jersey.

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“It all started there,” Carter said, referring to his time with the Raptors. “I had some memorable moments with that organization that created Vinsanity, which is why, without a doubt, I am going into the Hall of Fame as a Raptor.”

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A Special Shout-out to Raptors Superfan Nav Bhatia

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In his Hall of Fame speech, Carter paid tribute to Nav Bhatia, the Raptors' beloved superfan. He recounted an unforgettable moment when Bhatia purchased thousands of tickets to a charity game to ensure the event sold out.

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“Nav Bhatia, thank you, my brother. You bought every one of those tickets and gave them to the community,” Carter recalled with a smile, as he glanced at Tracy McGrady sitting right next to him. “We were 3,000 tickets short of selling out the 19,800 seats, and this man bought them all.”

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Thanking the Raptors Family: Vince Carter’s Gratitude

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Carter made sure to acknowledge the Toronto Raptors organization and the people who helped shape his career. He shared a mix of heartfelt gratitude and humor when thanking his coaches and teammates.

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“Thank you to Mr. Larry Tanenbaum, Glen Grunwald, and all my coaches: Butch Carter, Lenny Wilkens, Kevin O'Neill, Sam Mitchell,” Carter said with a chuckle. “Get the theme? I had a few coaches.”

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He also thanked his former teammates by name, including Tracy McGrady, Charles Oakley, Kevin Willis, and Chris Bosh. He even gave a special shout-out to Jerome “JYD” Williams, inviting him to do his famous bark: “Yup, that would be him,” Carter joked, making the crowd laugh. “Thank you for that opportunity for six years.”

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Carter and Allen Iverson: Rivalry Turned Respect

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Carter paid tribute to his former rival, Allen Iverson, with whom he shared many intense playoff battles. He expressed deep respect for Iverson’s competitive spirit.

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“AI brought the best out of me,” Carter said, acknowledging the significance of their on-court rivalry of that pivotal series back in 2001. “He pushed me to my limits, and I have nothing but respect for him.”

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A Memorable Gesture from Kyle Lowry

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One of the more touching moments in Carter’s speech came when he shared a story about Raptors’ legend Kyle Lowry. He recounted a time when Lowry invited him to share the spotlight during a post-championship interview in 2019.

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“Kyle was ready to do an interview after winning the championship,” Carter said. “He stood up and asked me to join him. I humbly declined, but that gesture speaks volumes about the type of person he is. I’ll always be thankful for that.”

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Raptors Retire Vince Carter’s No. 15 Jersey at Scotiabank Arena

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On Saturday, November 2, 2024, during a game against the Sacramento Kings, the Toronto Raptors will retire Vince Carter's No. 15 jersey. This emotional ceremony will honor Carter’s contributions to the team and Toronto’s basketball culture. His jersey will serve as a permanent reminder of the player who brought "Vinsanity" to life.

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“Being part of Raptors history is something special,” Carter said. “To see my jersey in the rafters, it’s a moment I’ll never forget.”

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Don’t Miss Out on This Historic Event

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If you’re a Raptors fan, you won’t want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime event. Tickets 4 Fans offers a seamless and secure way to buy Raptors tickets directly from season seat holders. Get your tickets here and be part of Raptors history at Scotiabank Arena!

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