Carter is set to have his jersey retired on Saturday when the Raptors host the Sacramento Kings.
Saturday has arrived, the day Toronto Raptors’ Vince Carter’s legacy is set to be immortalized as his No.15 jersey rises to the rafters at Scotiabank Arena – the first jersey to be retired in Raptors franchise history. In a nod to the Toronto sports icon, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Mats Sundin have reunited with Carter to recreate one of the city’s most iconic sports photos.
From 1998-2004, the two shared the same arena, the Air Canada Centre, and posed for an image, swapping jerseys, as the faces of their respective franchises. Sundin donned a Raptors jersey with his name and number, while Carter wore a Leafs jersey with his name and number. Sundin, who had his No. 13 jersey raised in 2011 following his retirement, will now have the much-anticipated Carter join him in the rafters.
“From Kids in the Hall to neighbors in the rafters at Scotiabank Arena,” the Leafs’ X post read. “Congrats on your day, VC.” The image was released on Saturday, hours before Carter is set to have his jersey retired when the Raptors host the Sacramento Kings.
This hasn’t been the only sign of appreciation, either. On Friday, the Raptors posted images of a customized plane from Air Canada with Carter’s name, number, signature, and silhouette from his historic 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
On Saturday morning, the Raptors unveiled a mural in downtown Toronto – another tribute to Carter, that read, “For Vince. For the fans. For the country.” Carter’s impact on Canadian basketball was second to none while at the same time, helping put the Raptors on the map at the professional level.
The 47-year-old was an all-star in six of his seven seasons with the Raptors, winning NBA Rookie of the Year in the 1998-99 season. In his NBA career, he played for 22 seasons split between the Raptors, New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, and Atlanta Hawks.
Seeing these Toronto sports icons together again celebrates an unforgettable era that helped shape the city's sports landscape. Both Carter and Sundin are revered as idols, inspiring countless fans across the GTA and throughout Canada.