The Brooklyn Nets have chosen to honor Vince Carter by retiring his No. 15 jersey, positioning it alongside Jason Kidd’s No. 5 in the rafters of the Barclay Center, solidifying his legacy within the franchise.
This announcement follows closely on the heels of the revelation that Carter’s former teammate Tracy McGrady will be inducting him into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in October 2024. The video announcement, narrated by Nets play-by-play announcer Ian Eagle, celebrated Carter’s immense contributions to the team and the sport, emphasizing his status as one of the greatest players in Nets history and an enduring icon of basketball.
After an illustrious tenure with the Toronto Raptors spanning over six years, Carter transitioned to the Nets via a midseason trade that involved Alonzo Mourning, Eric Williams, Aaron Williams, and two first-round draft picks. Despite initial skepticism from Raptors teammates and fans, Carter expressed gratitude for the opportunities provided by the organization while acknowledging the necessity of moving on.
Joining a struggling Nets team with a record of 9-16, Carter, alongside Kidd and Richard Jefferson, helped catalyze a turnaround, culminating in a late-season surge that secured the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. However, their postseason journey ended abruptly in a 4-0 sweep by the top-seeded Miami Heat, led by Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal.
Despite the disappointing playoff exit, Carter’s individual performance during the season was noteworthy, as he showcased his scoring prowess by averaging 27.5 points per game, along with 5.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.5 steals. His impressive shooting efficiency, particularly from beyond the arc at 42.5%, underscored his enduring impact on the court.
