10 things to know about NBA legend Vince Carter
Former Toronto Raptors superstar Vince Carter (a.k.a. Vinsanity, Half-man Half-amazing, Air Canada) has officially retired from basketball at the (V)insane age of 43.
Throughout his 22-year career — the longest in NBA history — he made his mark both on and off the court.
Here’s a list of 10 memorable Vince Carter moments:
Vince Carter hugs the Raptors mascot.
Even though much of his career was spent playing for other teams, Vince Carter holds a special place in the history of the Toronto Raptors. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press)
1. Dunking dynamo
Carter’s creativity on the court helped him win the NBA dunk contest during All-Star weekend on Feb. 12, 2000, in Oakland, Calif.
The moment helped put the Toronto Raptors on the map and raise the stakes for dunking contests ever after.
2. A seven-foot leap
While playing for Team USA during the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Carter leapt over French player Frederic Weis — who was seven feet two inches tall — and hammered down an iconic dunk.
Nobody was hurt, but the move was so devastating for the other team that reporters in France nicknamed it “le dunk de la morte” or “the dunk of death.”
Vince Carter leaps over Frederic Weis to dunk the ball.
When Carter managed to leap right over French player Frederic Weis during the 2000 Olympics, people said they had never seen a dunk like that before. (Darren McNamara/Allsport)
3. Four decades on the court
Carter is the first player in NBA history to have played in four different decades.
His first game was in 1998 and his last game was in 2020.
4. Video game veteran
Carter’s first appearance in an NBA video game was in NBA Live 2000 on the Nintendo 64.
His most recent was in NBA 2K20, and the difference in graphics alone shows just how long Carter’s career was.
Video game version of Vince Carter.
Carter has been featured in video games long enough for the graphics to get a major overhaul. (Vince Carter Debut In NBA Live 2000 on Playstation 1/Vintage Console Gaming/YouTube)
5. Bringing hope to kids
In 1998, Carter established a non-profit organization called the Embassy of Hope Foundation, with the goal of helping kids reach their full potential and realize their dreams.
He also donated to local communities in Toronto and helped build basketball courts and playgrounds throughout the city.
6. The infamous graduation game
When the day came for the Raptors to play Game 7 of the 2001 Eastern Conference Finals against the 76ers, Carter flew from Philadelphia to North Carolina to attend his university graduation ceremony, then flew back to play the game.
With his team down by one point, Carter missed a last-second shot and the Raptors lost.
Some teammates and analysts blamed his grad road trip for the loss.
Vince Carter in graduation gown.
Carter travelled to the University of North Carolina for his graduation on May 20, 2001, even though it was game day. (Reuters)
7. A bitter goodbye
With rumours swirling that Carter wanted out of Toronto, he was traded in December 2004 to the New Jersey Nets.
Carter had angered the Toronto fan base when he told the Toronto Sun newspaper: “I don’t want to dunk anymore.”
The trade left a complicated legacy for Carter in Toronto, and he was frequently booed during return visits.
8. A tearful return
On Nov. 19, 2014, the Raptors honoured Carter with a tribute video during the team’s 20th anniversary celebrations when he returned to the city as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Used to boos from Toronto fans, Carter was moved to tears as the Toronto crowd gave him a standing ovation.
Vince Carter wipes away a tear.
Carter shed a little tear when Toronto fans paid tribute to the Memphis Grizzlies player in 2014. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press)
9. Bookended by short seasons
Due to the 1998 NBA lockout, Carter’s first season in the league was shortened to just 50 games.
His final season was also cut short when the NBA delayed its season because of the coronavirus pandemic.
10. Changing the game in Canada
Many, including the Raptors organization itself, have credited Carter with laying the foundation for professional basketball in Canada.
“You’ve been an inspiration to a generation,” said Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry in an Instagram post congratulating Carter on his retirement.
Tweet by Toronto Raptors says Dear Vince Carter, thank you for inspiring a nation to believe. Thank you for laying the foundation of basketball in Canada. Thank you for letting us fly with you. Thank you for a lifetime of memories. Love, Canada
https://www.cbc.ca/kidsnews/post/10-things-to-know-about-nba-legend-vince-carter