As the Raptors commemorate 30 seasons, they paid tribute to Vince Carter by retiring his iconic No. 15 jersey in the Scotiabank Arena rafters. But that wasn’t the end of the festivities yet. The Raptors imparted another tribute to him and Carter was visibly emotional. For many fans, this recognition is long overdue. Carter’s incredible impact transformed the Raptors from an expansion team into a global phenomenon.

And when Carter took the mic, emotions ran high. “It’s not just Carter 15 going up, it’s all of us going up,” he said. His voice carried the weight of two decades of memories. “The memories, however you view it, go up tonight. I hope and pray we enjoy our jersey being retired forever together.”

But the celebration didn’t stop there. Less than a week after debuting their vibrant purple court for the NBA Cup, the Raptors doubled down on honoring Carter. At the heart of their updated floor design sits a fresh take on the original dinosaur logo, this time showcasing a between-the-legs dunk and Carter’s iconic No. 15.

Carter, clearly moved, couldn’t hold back his excitement. Sharing a photo from the Raptors vs. Timberwolves game on his Instagram story, he wrote, “It’s unbelievable seeing that court and the @raptors wearing my city edition jersey.”

And just when you thought it couldn’t get better, Carter’s Instagram post summed it up: “Surreal seeing this…🙏🏽🔥.” The comment section erupted with heartfelt tributes as fans flooded with love, expressing gratitude for his years of dedication to the franchise.

Fans thank Vince Carter for his contribution to the city and game

Spanning 22 seasons and four decades, Vince Carter’s journey in the NBA earned him countless accolades, including an Olympic gold medal in 2000 with Team USA. But for Raptors fans, his six seasons in Toronto Raptors—where he won Rookie of the Year in 1999—cemented his status as a legend. Fans didn’t hold back during the tribute, with one writing, “Thank you for everything you did for our city Vince! Toronto loves you 🔥🔥🔥!” Another added, “What’s surreal is an entire country in love and support of you, forever our man.”

But Carter’s legacy isn’t just about emotions; it’s established in the stats as well. Averaging 23.4 points per game over 403 games with the Raptors, he still holds the franchise’s highest career scoring average. He even scored the first-ever basket at what’s now Scotiabank Arena, a detail one fan won’t forget anytime soon. “You put Toronto on the map,” one fan said, perfectly summing up the city’s gratitude for his impact on and off the court.

And who could forget the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest? Carter’s iconic moves didn’t just win him the trophy—they solidified him as the “GOAT of dunking,” as one fan declared. With this tribute, Carter also became the first Raptor to have his jersey retired by the franchise. “Deserves all the glory, sir!” another fan wrote, echoing the collective pride of the Raptors nation.

On the global stage, Carter’s dominance continued. He emerged as a key figure in the USA Basketball team’s gold-medal victory at the 2000 Olympics. Moreover, he was named to the All-NBA team twice. Five consecutive All-Star appearances from 2000 to 2004 only further proved his excellence. “Flowers 💐 for one of the greats 🔥 love you VC,” another fan commented, perfectly capturing the respect Carter has earned.