NBA fans celebrate reports of Vince Carter's Raptors' jersey retirement: "Only reason basketball stayed in Toronto" 

Ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season, reports emerged that Vince Carter will have his jersey retired by the Toronto Raptors. As arguably the most iconic player in franchise history, this decision was met with a positive reception from fans.

Carter's No. 15 will go into the rafters during the opening weeks of the season on November 2, according to TSN's Josh Lewenberg. That night, the Raptors will face one of his former teams, the Sacramento Kings. Carter will also be the first player in franchise history to have his jersey retired by the organization.

After this news reached social media, fans flooded the comment section with reactions. Many applauded the decision and claimed that Vince Carter is the reason NBA basketball is still in Toronto.

Fans showed endless love for Carter, still crowning him as the best dunker in league history.

"Well deserved imo. Greatest dunker of all time." One fan said.

"Half man, half amazing," another fan said.

"THE GREATEST DUNKER OF ALL TIME," said one fan.

This news comes shortly after the Brooklyn/New Jersey Nets announced plans to retire Carter's number. The eight-time All-Star spent an impressive 22 years in the league, suiting up for eight franchises. After retiring in 2020, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024.

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Breaking down Vince Carter's time with Toronto Raptors

Vince Carter's time with the Toronto Raptors began in 1998, as they acquired him on draft night after the Golden State Warriors selected him No. 5 overall. He quickly emerged as a star-level player, putting the new franchise on the map in the process.

Carter's rookie year was only the Raptors' fourth season as an expansion franchise. In a lockout-shortened season, he averaged 18.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists en route to winning Rookie of the Year.

Vince Carter ended up taking a massive step forward in year two, averaging just under 26 points per game. Behind his stellar play, the Raptors would make their first playoff appearance in franchise history. The run would end up being short, getting swept in the first round by the New York Knicks.

Over the next five years, Carter was one of the top forwards in the NBA. He was a perennial All-Star and a walking highlight reel with his jaw-dropping dunking ability.

Carter's time with the Raptors would end in 2005 when he was traded to the then-New Jersey Nets.

In total, Carter spent seven seasons with the Raptors. Totaling 403 games with the franchise, he averaged 23.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks during his tenure.