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Last weekend, I checked off two items on my bucket list that I had long thought were impossible. Going to Toronto for the first time was incredible and was everything I imagined it would be (although the food wasn’t my vibe). However, the primary purpose of my trip was to see one of my favorite players finally have his jersey retired by my favorite team.
Vince Carter is why I am a Raptors super fan. His time with the team validated my fandom and many others. Although his exit from Toronto was rocky, we all hoped for the day he could return and have his number retired, which seemed unlikely for a long time.
Fortunately, that changed this summer when Vince was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, opening the door for a potential return. Finally, Raptors fans got their wish. Before the season started, it was announced that Carter’s number would be retired last Saturday (11/2/24). As soon as I heard the announcement, I committed to being there, no matter what, and I’m grateful I was.
Walking to the arena where the energy was incredible. My girlfriend and I entered, and it still felt surreal, even as I bought some merchandise. It became real when we got to our seats and looked around Scotiabank Arena. I was finally at my first Raptors home game when they retired Vince Carter’s number, proving that dreams can come true.
The game was fun, and we definitely got our money’s worth as it went into overtime against the Kings, which felt poetic given DeMar DeRozan’s return. Even with some minor drama surrounding Drake’s embarrassing antics and comments towards DeRozan over his beef with Kendrick Lamar—which somewhat overshadowed the night meant to celebrate Vince and us the fans. Regardless of that hiccup, the game and atmosphere were fantastic.
But the moment we had all been waiting for came at halftime. Former teammates Alvin Williams, Muggsy Bogues, Jerome Williams, Kevin Willis, Antonio Davis, Dee Brown, Charles Oakley, Vince’s family, Tracy McGrady, and others took the floor. After heartfelt speeches, especially from team president Masai Ujiri, we heard the long-awaited introduction: “Basketball fans, get up on your feet, from North Carolina, a 6’6 guard, Hall of Famer Vince Carter!”
A wave of emotions—happiness, joy, excitement, disbelief, and perhaps euphoria—washed over me and others in the arena when Carter appeared, mirroring our emotions and reminding us why he is not only an icon but also the most beloved player in Raptors history. His wonderful speech emphasized that he and the fans are now going up in the rafters. The banner was revealed at that perfect moment, fulfilling a dream we thought would never happen. The arena erupted with “Thank you, Vince” chants, and tears went down my face as the first number in Raptors history was officially retired.
Now, shifting away from the emotions (laughs), the natural question is: who will be the next number retired for the Raptors? This topic became a lively conversation starter among fans that evening. We agreed upon two names in our section, Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, who deserve consideration, but then it gets a bit more complicated.
I believe the first player drafted by the franchise should also be in the conversation—Damon Stoudamire, a.k.a. Mighty Mouse. I know his time and exit from the team weren’t the best, but it seems challenging to tell the story of the Raptors without including Stoudamire, a founding player of the franchise. Then there’s Pascal Siakam, who has also become a fan favorite.
As we dive into more polarizing names with compelling cases for having their numbers retired, there’s Chris Bosh, Tracy McGrady, and Kawhi Leonard. However, their short stints in Toronto complicate matters, especially with Kawhi. He played only one season with us, but he led the team to its first championship that year—so is that enough to retire his number? We’ll have to wait and see. Bosh and McGrady had memorable moments with the Raptors but found greater success elsewhere. Only time will tell if any of these retirements will eventually happen.
To wrap up this piece, I want to share some fun stuff. Vince Carter is one of the greatest in-game dunkers of all time, and there are plenty of dunks to check out. You can find many clips on YouTube, or I can attach a link to one at the end. So, what are my top five Vince Carter in-game dunks? Obviously, the legendary Olympic dunk over Frederic Weiss is a given, along with his iconic dunk contest performance in 2000. After serious thought, here are my top five all-time Vince Carter in-game dunks as a Raptor. What a time to be alive.
