A milestone moment unfolded in Toronto over the weekend as a teary-eyed Vince Carter stepped foot into Scotiabank Arena to watch his jersey rise into the rafters.
The highly-anticipated “Vince Carter night” happened on Saturday to honour the basketball stars’ Raptors legacy and what ensued was an emotional evening for fans, fellow athletes, and the entire Canadian basketball community.
Here’s everything that went down to celebrate the icon.
The Vince Carter effect
Early in the day, Carter watched as a massive mural was unveiled of his iconic Carter dunk for the Raptors, in downtown Toronto.
Then the star headed to Scotiabank Arena for his special tribute night. From the moment the former Raptor stepped into the spotlight at the, his emotions took over.
“He helped us put Toronto on the map,” Masai Ujuri, president of the Toronto Raptors, said Saturday night in his speech. “He taught us how to fly, and those who don’t know how to fly, he taught us how to dream, how to fly.”
In his speech on Saturday, Carter expressed how special it was to receive cheers from the fans again, after a hostile departure from the Raptors fan base back in 2004.
“Standing right here, watching that video, tearing up, my heart was full of joy to finally have that moment with you all,” Carter said in his speech. “It was something that I always wanted, a feeling I wanted us all to have, which got us where we are today.”
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With his family present, the 47-year-old watched as his number 15 jersey floated up into the ceiling of the Scotiabank Arena–the first Raptor alumni to ever receive the honour.
The stars came through
A tribute video to open the night illustrated just how widely Carter impacted the basketball stars of today, and all those he crossed paths with in his career.
Steph Curry, Golden State Warrior star and child of former Raptors player Dell Curry, shared some kind words for Carter.
“I remember watching you play with my dad, it was early 2000’s Vinsanity days,” Curry said. “They were truly special. Having lived in Toronto, been a part of the organization, watching y’all play, seeing how the community gathered around what you were able to create…was truly special.”
Beloved former Raptor Kyle Lowry also shared his thoughts. “Love you brother, appreciate you as always, see you on the golf course.”
Lebron James also posted his support for Carter, writing on X, “CONGRATULATIONS VINSANITY!!!! @mrvincecarter15. DOPE!! IMMORTALIZED IN THE 6!!”
To bring another moment full circle, Carter and Toronto Maple Leafs legend Mats Sundin recreated an iconic photo to celebrate the event.
Other familiar faces present in the arena included ‘Superfan’, American TV personality Taylor Rooks, and of course, Drake was sitting courtside.
Drake feuds with Demar Derozan
In a video that’s since been heavily circulated online, Drake takes a jab at former Raptor DeMar DeRozan, who now plays for the Sacramento Kings.
“If you ever put a DeRozan banner up there, I’d go up there and take it down myself,” Drake said on the live Raptors broadcast, who is seemingly still bitter of DeRozan’s presence in the Kednrick Lamar “Not Like Us”’ music video.
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Later, in an interview, DeRozan responded to the dig from Drake. “He gon’ have a long way to climb to take it down.”
