Brooklyn Nets to Retire Vince Carter's Jersey
In a much-anticipated move, the Brooklyn Nets have announced they will retire Vince Carter's No. 15 jersey. The ceremony will take place on January 25 at Barclays Center, after the Nets' game against the Miami Heat.
Carter, who played for the Nets from 2004 to 2009, left an indelible mark on the franchise during his tenure. At the time, the team was known as the New Jersey Nets and played their home games in East Rutherford. During his stint with the Nets, Carter averaged an impressive 23.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game over 374 regular-season contests.
“We are thrilled to honor former Nets player Vince Carter, who contributed so much to this organization both on and off the court,” remarked Joe Tsai, the Nets’ owner. “He is an important part of the Nets franchise history, and we look forward to welcoming him to Barclays Center this season to celebrate his legacy.”
Carter's arrival was a pivotal moment for the franchise. The Nets orchestrated a blockbuster trade with the Toronto Raptors in December 2004 to acquire the high-flying guard. In exchange, they sent Alonzo Mourning, Eric Williams, Aaron Williams, and two future first-round picks to the Raptors.
Despite challenges, including Jason Kidd's recovery from knee surgery and the departures of key players like Kenyon Martin and Kerry Kittles, Carter revitalized the team. His electrifying performances and highlight-reel plays quickly transformed the struggling Nets into a rejuvenated squad.
The jersey retirement ceremony comes almost a year after Brooklyn first announced their intention to honor Carter in this way, back in March. In another move cementing his long-term association with the organization, Carter joined the Nets’ broadcasting team as a color commentator last season.
Beyond his contributions to the Nets, Carter's illustrious NBA career will be further acknowledged with his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the 2024 class. The enshrinement ceremony is scheduled for October 13 in Springfield, Massachusetts, where Carter will be joined by fellow inductees Chauncey Billups and Michael Cooper.
As of now, the Toronto Raptors have yet to announce any jersey retirement plans for Carter, although they have indicated their intention to honor him in some form during the 2024-25 season.
The Nets' decision to retire Vince Carter’s jersey serves not only as a celebration of his time with the team but also underscores his larger impact on the game of basketball and his significant contributions to the sport as a whole.