Special edition gives nod to Carter’s historic slam dunk contest performance in 2000.
The celebration of Vince Carter in this 30th season of the Toronto Raptors isn’t over yet.
The Raptors unveiled Thursday the new City Edition uniform that pays tribute to Carter, who became the first Raptor to have his jersey retired by the franchise earlier this month.
The uniform features the day-one Raptor logo from 1995 reimagined and posed in mid-flight emulating Carter’s between-the-legs dunk, “known as his most recognized and game-changing dunk from Carter’s 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest appearance and victory.” The team says it’s also the first of the Raptors’ City Edition uniforms to include all of the team’s colours throughout the years. That means purple, red, gold and silver are all there. It’s also the first without any text on its front, “allowing the logo to speak volumes for itself and for fans across the country. Some additional design standouts include tone-on-tone claw scratch pin stripes that nod to the Raptors’ 1995 jersey. These historical jersey designs elements are juxtaposed with a modern number-set to showcase the Raptors’ acknowledgement of past greats while looking forward at building the future of the organization,” the Raptors said in a release.
The team will play with the jersey for the first time on Nov. 21 against high-flying Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves and then four other times.
Carter had said on the day his jersey was retired by the Raptors that the upcoming City Edition uniform was more than just a fun nod. He clearly was moved by the Raptors deciding to also tie in one of his biggest moments.
“Honestly, this is just me talking, even if a jersey retirement didn’t happen, the celebration of the time spent is what I’ve always wanted. If it went as far as just the City Jerseys with the honour of me on a uniform, you know how big that is,” Carter had said. “Like even if this day didn’t happen, whether I am working, watching TV, I’ll get to watch a Raptor game with a picture of me dunking a basketball on a jersey. And that’s equivalent to me of Jerry West the Logo on an NBA sock, on an NBA backboard. That’s me now. This is crazy. Like, I look at that like Hall of Fame. I look at that like a jersey retirement,” Carter said.
“Like that came about I was like ‘Oh man, I’ve died and gone to heaven. I’m on a jersey. This is official. It’s not like I’m on a Pro Am or Summer League or AAU team, this is a National Basketball Association team that will have something with me on it, and it’s the Toronto Raptors,” Carter said.
Raptors president Masai Ujiri said in a release Thursday that the uniform is “unique in the league” and part of this year’s celebrations.
“This 30th anniversary is a season to celebrate the people and moments who have made this franchise who we are,” Ujiri said. “Is there a better example of that feeling than the image of Vince’s unbelievable dunk? It reminds us that we can inspire. It allows us to dream of flying. It is proudly Toronto. And this uniform is unique in the league — just like the team and fans who will proudly wear it.”
In addition, the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) will host a limited-time-only installation that spotlights the City Edition uniform and its distinctive designed inspired by the intersection of art and basketball in Toronto. Fans can experience the engaging display from Nov. 14 to 17 as part of regular admission to the AGO. Those who visit and scan the installation’s QR code will also have the chance to win a City Edition jersey signed by Vince Carter.
“Every year, the City Edition program allows us the opportunity to express the individuality of our city and culture and wear it proudly on our backs. This year, as we celebrate a milestone anniversary, we are thrilled to share an innovative new jersey that honours a franchise icon while also creating a unique piece inspired by the moments that ignite our nation’s passion,” Shannon Hosford, Chief Marketing Officer, MLSE, said in a release. “Whether it be owning this piece of history for themselves, or engaging with it at the limited-edition AGO installation, it is important to us that Raptors fans feel connected to these special threads and have a sense of pride when sporting it.”