The Toronto Raptors honored franchise icon Vince Carter by retiring his No. 15 jersey at Scotiabank Arena on Sunday night, cementing his legacy as the first Raptor to have his number raised to the rafters. Known as “Air Canada,” Carter’s gravity-defying dunks and electric style of play captivated fans and helped put Toronto basketball on the map.

Standing at 6-foot-6, Carter spent over six seasons with the Raptors, where he won the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award in 1999, made multiple All-Star appearances, and became the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest champion. His performances didn’t just win games—they inspired an entire nation to embrace the sport.

“It’s not just Carter 15 going up; it’s all of us going up,” Carter said to fans before the banner rose to the rafters. “The memories, however you view it, go up tonight. I hope and pray we enjoy our jersey being retired together forever.”

Raptors President Masai Ujiri, who introduced Carter to a roaring crowd, praised the impact Carter left on Canadian basketball: “He taught us how to fly.”

Carter retired in 2020 after an unprecedented 22-season career, making him the longest-tenured player in NBA history. Just last month, he was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, marking yet another milestone in his storied journey.

In celebration of Carter’s legacy, a mural was unveiled in downtown Toronto on Saturday, adding to the previously revitalized Vince Carter Court, which the Raptors dedicated in a Toronto park this September.