The former Raptor retires after 22 years
Former Toronto Raptors superstar Vince Carter (aka Vinsanity, Half-Man Half-Amazing, Air Canada) officially retired from basketball at the (V) crazy age of 43.
During his 22-year career – the longest in NBA history – he has made a name for himself both on and off the pitch.
Here is a list of 10 memorable Vince Carter moments:
Although much of his career has been spent on other teams, Vince Carter occupies a special place in the history of the Toronto Raptors. (Frank Gunn / The Canadian Press)
Dunking dynamo
Carter’s creativity on the pitch helped him win the NBA Dunk competition on February 12, 2000 in Oakland, California, on the All Star weekend.
The moment helped put the Toronto Raptors on the map and increase the stake in dunking competitions.
2. A seven foot jump
While playing for Team USA during the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Carter jumped over French player Frederic Weis, who was seven feet two inches tall, and pounded down a legendary dunk.
No one was injured, but the move was so devastating to the other team that reporters in France referred to it as “Le Dunk de la Morte” or “Dunk of Death”.
When Carter managed to jump right over French player Frederic Weis during the 2000 Olympics, people said they had never seen such a dunk before. (Darren McNamara / Allsport)
3. Four decades on the square
Carter is the first player in NBA history to have played in four different decades.
His first game was in 1998 and his last game was in 2020.
4. Veteran of video game
Carter’s first appearance in an NBA video game was in NBA Live 2000 on the Nintendo 64.
His last was in NBA 2K20The difference in the graphics alone shows how long Carter’s career took.
Carter has been featured in video games long enough for the graphics to be fundamentally redesigned. (Vince Carter debuts in NBA Live 2000 on Playstation 1 / Vintage Console Gaming / YouTube)
5. Bring hope to children
In 1998, Carter founded a non-profit organization called the Embassy of Hope Foundation to help children realize their full potential and make their dreams come true.
He also donated to local communities in Toronto and helped build basketball courts and playgrounds across the city.
6. The infamous final game
When the day came when the Raptors played Game 7 of the 2001 Eastern Conference Finals against the 76s, Carter flew from Philadelphia to North Carolina to attend his graduation ceremony, and then flew back to play the game.
Carter missed a last-minute shot and the Raptors lost.
Some teammates and analysts blamed his graduation for the loss.
Carter graduated from the University of North Carolina on May 20, 2001, even though it was game day. (Reuters)
7. A bitter farewell
With rumors that Carter wanted to get out of Toronto, he was sold to the New Jersey Nets in December 2004.
Carter had upset the Toronto fan base when he told the Toronto Sun newspaper, “I don’t want to dive in anymore.”
The trade left a complex legacy for Carter in Toronto, and it was often booed on return visits.
8. A tearful return
On November 19, 2014, the Raptors honored Carter with a tribute video during the team’s 20th anniversary celebrations when he returned to the city as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Carter was used to the fans of Toronto and was moved to tears when the crowd in Toronto gave him a standing ovation.
Carter shed a little tear as Toronto fans pay tribute to the Memphis Grizzlies player in 2014. (Frank Gunn / The Canadian Press)
9. Booked from short seasons
Due to the 1998 NBA lockout, Carter’s first season in the league was reduced to just 50 games.
Its last season was also canceled when the NBA delayed its season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
10. Change the game in Canada
Many, including the Raptors organization itself, have attributed Carter the foundation stone for professional basketball in Canada.
“You were an inspiration for a generation,” said Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry in an Instagram post and congratulated Carter on resigning.
TOP IMAGE CREDIT: (Jed Jacobsohn / Allsport)
