Carter’s impact on basketball in Canada lives on. Photo Credit: NBA Canada/Facebook
His effect on basketball in Canada continues to live on.
Heck, maybe it’s safe to say he made the Toronto Raptors.
Sunday night in Springfield, Massachusetts Vince Carter was officially enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
The man they called ‘Air Canada,’ ‘Vinsanity’ or ‘Half Man/Half Amazing,’ rightfully chose to enter the Hall of Fame as a Toronto Raptor.
“It all started there,” said Carter, who will have his No. 15 jersey retired in Toronto on November 2 against the Sacramento Kings.
“I had some memorable moments with that organization, which created Vinsanity, which is why, without a doubt, I’m going into the Hall of Fame as a Raptor.”
Vince Carter played 22 years in the NBA, becoming the only player to appear in the league across four different decades. He scored over 25,000 points, he’s in the top-10 in three-pointers made and top-50 in steals. made eight All-Star teams, won the 1999 Rookie of the Year award, was named to a pair of All-NBA teams and an Olympic gold medalist.
All that, and still one of his most celebrated accomplishments was winning the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest, which is still widely considered the greatest showing in the event’s history.
“Thank you for this unbelievable honor. I hold this honor in high regard,” said Carter during his acceptance speech. “I’ve finally been able to handle that you’ve given me an honor not many players get to experience. I’m now walking through the doors of which the icons of the game walked through.”
As he continued, “I acknowledge you all tonight and say thank you for your cheers and your boo’s. It’s been a motivating force, it helped me make it to 22 years,” Carter said. “I never took it personally, I know how we are as fans, we love our teams, but it’s been an honour to fly in arenas for your entertainment.”
Those dunks live on today in many current NBA players’ minds.
“Everybody that really plays basketball in this country knows who Vince Carter is,” current Raptors forward and Canadian RJ Barrett told the Associated Press. “What he’s done for the game is huge.”
NBA executives have named 2024 NBA MVP runner-up, and Canadian, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the favorite to win the hardware this upcoming season.
Canada had 10 NBA players on its roster in the Olympics, the most of any country other than the United States
This from another current Raptor, and Canadian Kelly Olynyk:
“You’re seeing a lot of kids — I was one of them — who went into their backyards and tried to emulate what he did on the court,” “That effect is huge.”
Before hearing his name announced Sunday, Carter sat beside his presenters, his cousin and fellow former Raptor Tracy McGrady and one of the other greatest high-flyers in NBA history, his idol – Dr. J, Julius Erving.
“From now on, they don’t just say your first and last name without saying… “Hall of Famer,” is how Carter closed his hall of fame acceptance speech.
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.