In professional basketball where larger-than-life figures roam the hardwood, it’s often the unfiltered honesty of players’ children that brings these titans back down to earth. From Steph Curry’s daughter Riley stealing the spotlight at press conferences to Chris Paul’s son mimicking LeBron James’ infamous flop, these innocent moments remind us that even the greatest athletes aren’t immune to a child’s candid observations. The latest addition to this collection of endearing moments comes from Vince Carter’s son, whose first encounter with Michael Jordan at the 2024 Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony led to an unexpectedly amusing observation.

During the recent episode of Run It Back on FanDuel TV show, the newly inducted Hall of Famer Vince Carter shared the heartwarming yet slightly embarrassing moment when his son met the legendary Michael Jordan. “My family in general wanted to meet Mike. So I’m like yeah, let’s go over there and meet Mike and say whats up. Som I’m introducing, how you doing, how you doing and he meets my kids. So little man says to the big sis and he was like ‘Dad he’s darker than I expected,” said Carter during the show. Not only this but Carter even stated to his five-year-old son that the fact that the little one pointed out was the reason why Jordan got his nicknames. “He got to Mike live and then in person then I was like man that’s why they call them Black Jesus man… that’s why he’s Black Cat,” added Carter during the interview.

The interaction becomes even more meaningful when considering the historical connection between Carter and Jordan. In 2001, Carter, then a rising star with the Toronto Raptors, faced off against Jordan’s Washington Wizards in what would become a defining moment in his career. Carter, nicknamed “Air Canada” for his gravity-defying dunks, showed that he could hold his own against His Airness, scoring 23 points and showcasing the aerial power that would later earn him the title “Half-Man, Half-Amazing.”

Now coming to Carter’s family. The former shooting guard married Ellen Rucker, who is a chiropractor, in July 2004; and together had a daughter Kai Michelle Carter but unfortunately, the couple got divorced in 2006. Carter again got married to a NASM trainer, Sondi Carter, and had a son together in 2017. During the show, the 47-year-old also revealed how proud he was to see his seven-year-old’s behavior throughout the HOF ceremony. “I didn’t watch the whole speech cause you know I hate to hear myself talk a lot, but watching some highlights and clips of him, seeing him sitting, you know front row on the edge of his seat watching and listening and hanging on to every word that I was saying was pretty cool for a seven-year-old, to sit there for two and a half hours… it was pretty cool watching him enjoy the moment,” said Carter during the show.

Now, decades later, as Carter joins Jordan in the Hall of Fame, his son’s innocent comment adds a humanizing touch to his and Jordan’s shared legacy. It serves as a reminder that while we may immortalize these athletes through highlights and stories, they remain very much human. However, while Carter’s kid here made an honest statement there was a time when Carter uniquely showed respect to Jordan.

When Vince Carter gave up his 2003 All-Star Spot to Michael Jordan

In the 2003 NBA All-Star Game, a heartwarming gesture unfolded that would be remembered for years to come. Carter who was then a rising star with the Toronto Raptors, made a selfless decision to give up his starting spot to the legendary Michael Jordan, who was playing in his final All-Star game.

Carter’s decision was a testament to his respect and admiration for Jordan, who had dominated the NBA for over two decades. During the episode of ‘All the Smoke’ podcast in 2020, the former shooting guard revealed how the events unfolded. “It was encouraged by the league that it was a good idea. By the powers that be. It was probably a good idea that MJ starts in his last All-Star Game. I ain’t no fool, you know what I’m saying? I ain’t no fool. First of all, we all look up to MJ and he’s a hero. Bruh, that’s a memory that nobody else can talk about. That can’t be duplicated. Bruh, I got a story—I can tell this story forever. Nobody else can say that,” said Carter during the podcast.

It was also revealed by ‘Air Canada‘ that Jordan was adamant at first to take the starter spot stating that Carter had earned it but ultimately the Raptors shooting guard convinced the 6x NBA champion to take it by saying that if Jordan doesn’t take the spot he won’t come out to play. It can be said that Carter’s selfless act was a fitting tribute to Jordan’s illustrious career and a moment that will forever be etched in NBA history.