Vince Carter spoke about family, legacy, anger and, ultimately, love in an emotional press conference before his jersey was retired by the Toronto Raptors.

Carter will become the first player in Raptors history to receive such an honor.

His iconic number 15 will be hung in the rafters of Scotiabank Arena in a 20-minute ceremony during halftime of Toronto’s game against the Sacramento Kings tonight.

Carter played the first five years of his NBA career with the Raptors before a sour relationship with team management and fans led to his midseason trade to the then-New Jersey Nets.

He admitted at the press conference that for a long time he never thought Toronto basketball fans would welcome him back.

Carter retired from professional basketball in 2020 after 22 years in the NBA and was enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on October 13.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 2, 2024.