Vince Carter has officially retired from the NBA after 22 seasons
The last time we saw Vince Carter, he was nailing a 3-pointer in the waning seconds of a meaningless regular-season game between the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks. With the NBA set to enter a hiatus, there was a great probability that this game would be Carter’s final in the NBA.
As the NBA inches closer to resuming the 2019-20 season, it won’t be without the Hawks which means it Carter won’t have an opportunity to conclude his storied (final) season. Thursday morning, Carter made it official – that he was retiring from the league.
"[via “Winging It” podcast]“It’s kind of a cool situation for me because I came into the league on a shortened season and I walk away from the league on a shortened season,” Carter said on the “Winging It” podcast. “So for me, it’s just kind of a unique situation.”"
Carter retires at the age of 43, with over 25,000 points (tied for 19th most in history) scored throughout the course of his career. Carter was an eight-time all-star, two-time All-NBA player, and a 2000 Olympic Gold medalist.
Carter began his career with the Toronto Raptors during the 1998-99 season. He played six-plus years with the Raptors before being traded to the New Jersey Nets where he spent four and a half seasons. Carter would bounce around with five teams over the last 10 years of his career.
He may have never won that elusive NBA Championship, but there are many bright moments throughout his career – whether that’s winning his Rookie of the Year award, wowing in the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk contest, to his epic battles in the playoffs.
Looking back, Carter had a great career in the Association and had a lasting impact on many franchises. Vince may not have had the magical ending that many players dream of when they enter the NBA, but there’s no question that he had a long, prosperous career in the NBA.