Vince Carter"s enduring affection for the Toronto Raptors was on full display when he was named a finalist for the 2024 class of the Basketball Hall of Fame. During an appearance on the NBA show “Run it Back," he was asked which jersey he would choose to wear into the Hall of Fame, to which he promptly replied, “Toronto, Toronto, Toronto. It has to be. It"s where it all started."
While players don"t have the option to select a specific team for representation in the Basketball Hall of Fame as they do in the Baseball Hall of Fame, Carter"s response sparked intriguing speculation, especially among NBA Twitter and Raptors fans.
The idea of Carter"s iconic number 15 jersey being retired and raised to the rafters at Scotiabank Arena is gaining traction, reflecting the significant impact he had during his time with the Raptors. Carter himself acknowledges Toronto as the place where he developed his confidence and charted the course of his career.
Vince Carter when asked which jersey he'll be rocking at the Hall of Fame:
"Toronto, Toronto, Toronto. It has to be, it's where it all started"
(via @RunItBackFDTV) pic.twitter.com/CQMpUAnQaB
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 22, 2024
During his early years with the Raptors, Carter achieved remarkable success, including winning the 1998-99 Rookie of the Year award and earning five All-Star selections in his first six seasons. His unforgettable performance in the 2000 Slam Dunk competition further solidified his place in basketball lore.
Despite his undeniable contributions to the franchise, Carter"s tenure with the Raptors is not without controversy. Some criticize him for his departure from Toronto, alleging that he engineered a trade to the New Jersey Nets during the 2004-05 season while still at the peak of his career.
