Watch: Vince Carter's raw emotions rise to the fore as Air Canada's Raptors jersey goes up the rafters
NBA legend Vince Carter was filled with emotions during his jersey retirement by the Toronto Raptors on Saturday. "Air Canada" was all pumped up as he immersed himself in the love shown by the fans up North.
The former eight-time NBA All-Star made Canadian sports history by becoming the first Raptors player to be honored with a jersey retirement. It was in recognition of the seven years he spent in "The Six," where he elevated the team to NBA prominence with his athleticism and highlight-reel plays while also helping it to achieve steady competitiveness.
At the ceremonies held at halftime of the Raptors' game against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Vince Carter let out his emotions in front of family, friends and fans, even calling out to the crowd:
"Come on! Come on!"
Watch Carter's display of emotions below:
Vince Carter played a significant role in the early years of the Raptors, becoming their first true NBA superstar. He started as a dunking machine but eventually became an all-around player, which helped Toronto become a steady force in the Eastern Conference.
His stay with the Raptors only lasted for seven years, which had him averaging 23.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals in 403 games, but his impact was long-term as he inspired a new generation of basketball players in Canada who are now stars in the NBA, including the likes of Jamal Murray and Andrew Wiggins.
Meanwhile, the Raptors made it a double-celebration on Carter's day as they defeated the Kings, 131-128, in overtime to halt a four-game losing streak. RJ Barrett led the way for Toronto (2-5) with 31 points with nine rebounds and six assists in 40 minutes.
Vince Carter grateful to be honored with jersey retirement by Toronto
Vince Carter fully appreciated what the Toronto Raptors did in honoring him by retiring his No. 15 jersey. More so, because for the longest time, he thought it would never come, considering how things ended between him and the team.
Carter’s relationship with the Raptors ended on a sour note, with his 2004 trade to the New Jersey Nets. This led to years where he was cast as a villain in Toronto. Only in the later stages of his long career did these tensions ease, paving the way for his jersey retirement.
Speaking ahead of his jersey retirement ceremonies on Saturday, "Air Canada" shared his thoughts on the significance of the moment with his first NBA team.
He said (via Sports Illustrated):
"I've been patient and I'm going to continue to be patient because I understood a long time ago if you have an appreciation for something, love something like you do, people don't see it, be patient, because it's going to shine through."
Carter added:
"So throughout those years leading up to it, you see highlights and video, and I've enjoyed those moments, but it's something about see those highlights in this building because that's where it was created."
While with the Raptors, Vince Carter won Rookie of the Year and became a five-time NBA All-Star, two-time All-NBA Team member and a slam dunk champion. He was recently inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.