Toronto basketball fans welcomed back Vince Carter at a ceremony Friday, where the Raptors team president confirmed the former NBA star will become the first player in franchise history to have his jersey retired.
Joined by members of the Raptors organization and city hall, Carter was in town to help reopen refurbished basketball courts at Dixon Park.
Carter's Embassy of Hope foundation built the courts in 2003, when he was still playing in Toronto. "I'm truly thankful for the opportunity to come back here," Carter told a crowd of fans Friday. "It's been a long time coming." The eight-time all-star was the face of the Toronto Raptors from 1998 to 2004, when the franchise was still in its early years.
He won a rookie-of-the-year award and a slam dunk contest during that time, leading the Raptors to their first playoff appearance while electrifying crowds with his high-flying play.