Vince Carter’s remarks about his Raptors jersey elicit a variety of responses, ranging from accusations of betrayal to calls for retiring his number.

It’s evident that Vince Carter still maintains a strong emotional connection with the Toronto Raptors.

The former NBA star, who was recently announced as a finalist for the 2024 Basketball Hall of Fame class, expressed his sentimentality during an appearance on the NBA show “Run it Back.” When asked which jersey he would hypothetically wear into the Hall of Fame, Carter promptly replied, “Toronto, Toronto, Toronto. It has to be, it’s where it all started.”

Unlike the Baseball Hall of Fame, where players have the liberty to choose the team they represent, in the Basketball Hall of Fame, this choice is not granted. Nevertheless, the question posed sparks intriguing speculation and has generated significant discussion on NBA Twitter, particularly among Raptors fans.

Reflecting on his career, Carter acknowledges Toronto as the setting where he developed his confidence and gained insights into the direction of his professional journey.

In addition to securing the Rookie of the Year award for the 1998-99 season, he amassed five All-Star selections during his initial six seasons with the Raptors. This period notably includes his memorable performance in the Slam Dunk competition in 2000.

However, his association with the franchise is not without controversy. Many assert that Carter orchestrated his departure from Toronto, culminating in a trade to the New Jersey Nets during the 2004-05 season, despite being at the peak of his career.