The only player in NBA history to have played for 4 decades, Vince Carter spent more than 6 seasons of his career with the Raptors.

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TORONTO (AP) — An emotional Vince Carter acknowledged his controversial exit from Toronto as his No. 15 jersey became the first number retired by the Raptors during a halftime ceremony during Saturday’s game against Sacramento.

“It’s not just Carter 15 going up, it’s all of us going up,” Carter told fans before a banner with his name and number was raised to the rafters. “The memories, however you look at them, come flooding back tonight. I hope and pray that we enjoy our jersey’s retirement forever together.

Carter walked to center court to begin the ceremony and waved for cheers from the crowd, then clenched his fists and yelled, “Come on!” before welcoming the response.

Former Toronto teammates Tracy McGrady, Antonio Davis, Kevin Willis, Charles Oakley, Morris Peterson, Dee Brown, Jerome Williams, Alvin Williams and Muggsy Bogues joined Carter, his family and Raptors president Masai Ujiri on the ground for the ceremony.

“He taught us how to fly,” Ujiri said as he introduced Carter to the enthusiastic crowd.

Carter had to pause several times to control his emotions or to hold back tears during a pre-match press conference. At one point, speaking about his family, a tearful Carter gestured for his young son Vincent Jr. to join him at the podium for a hug.

The only player in NBA history to play for four decades, Carter spent more than the first six seasons of his record 22 seasons with the Raptors. He was named Rookie of the Year in 1999 in his first season and All-Star and Slam Dunk champion in his second, when Toronto made the playoffs for the first time.

Swept in the first round by the Knicks in their first playoff run, Carter and the Raptors returned to the playoffs the following spring and upset New York by winning Game 5 at Madison Square Garden.

Before Saturday’s game, Carter recalled that series victory as one of the best memories of his time in Toronto.

“Going through what (former Knicks coach) Mr. Jeff Van Gundy put me through with his defense, I was excited to have this opportunity to face that defense again,” Carter said.

Carter is credited with impacting basketball across Canada, influencing a generation of future NBA players such as Tristan Thompson, former Raptors guard Cory Joseph and current Raptors forward Kelly Olynyk.

“The legacy continues to grow,” Carter said. “It’s the icing on the cake.”

Thompson was one of several players, including Stephen Curry and former Raptors Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, to record a congratulatory message for Carter in a video played before the on-court ceremony.

“I wouldn’t be here without you,” Thompson said.

Early in his tenure in Toronto, Carter earned the nickname “Air Canada” for his high-flying dunks. As injuries increased and his production declined, Carter was criticized by fans for becoming less aggressive when he settled for jumping rather than driving and making contact.

In December 2004, Carter was traded to the Nets for Alonzo Mourning, Eric Williams, Aaron Williams and two first-round draft picks. Mourning never played for Toronto.

For years, there was anger and animosity from Raptors fans toward Carter after he pushed to be traded out of Toronto.

A decade after that deal, the relationship began to mend when Carter visited Toronto with the Memphis Grizzlies on November 19, 2014. The Raptors, who were celebrating their 20th anniversary that season, honored Carter with a video tribute during the first quarter. dead time.

Speaking at the halftime ceremony, Carter called it “a day I’ll never forget.”

Although a few fans booed at the start of the montage that night, most of the 19,800 sold-out audience quickly stood and applauded. Carter, moved, raised his arms, patted his heart and wiped the tears from his eyes.

During his pre-match press conference, Carter was once again overcome with emotion as he recalled watching this video nearly a decade ago.

“It’s something to see these highlights in this building, because that’s where it was created,” he said.

Carter retired in 2020 at age 43. Last month, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Earlier Saturday, a mural of Carter was unveiled in downtown Toronto. In September, the Raptors unveiled a revitalized Vince Carter Court in a Toronto park.