The Brooklyn Nets have officially announced their decision to retire the No. 15 jersey of Vince Carter, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the team. This move comes as Carter, a renowned guard, is poised to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this year.
The announcement was made through a video release, featuring Carter’s former teammate Jason Kidd, who has also had his No. 5 jersey retired by the franchise.
During his tenure of 4½ seasons with the Nets, while they were still based in New Jersey, Carter achieved an impressive average of 23.6 points. Additionally, he holds the team’s single-season record with an impressive 2,070 points scored during the 2006-07 season. Furthermore, Carter ranks third in franchise history in terms of points and has left his mark in the Nets’ top 10 in numerous other categories.
Notably, Vince Carter holds the distinction of being the only player in NBA history to have played in four different decades. His illustrious career began when he was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1999 as a member of the Toronto Raptors. Following a trade to the New Jersey Nets in 2004, Carter went on to play with the team until the end of the 2008-09 season. His final season in 2019-20 saw him playing with the Atlanta Hawks.
With this announcement, Vince Carter will join an esteemed group of former Nets players who have also had their jerseys retired. This group includes Jason Kidd, Julius Erving, Buck Williams, Drazen Petrovic, “Super” John Williamson, and Bill Melchionni.
The retirement of Carter’s jersey serves as a befitting tribute to his remarkable career and his profound impact on the Brooklyn Nets. It stands as a testament to his enduring legacy and the indelible mark he has left on the franchise.
As the Nets honour Vince Carter in this distinctive manner, it serves as a reminder of the remarkable talent and unwavering devotion that has moulded the team’s history. It is a well-deserved recognition for a player who has etched his name in the annals of basketball history.