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'It'll happen' - Vince Carter receives standing O, hints at return to Toronto

Ciarán Breen

He may be half-man, half-amazing but Father Time eventually calls on us all. For eight-time NBA All-Star Vince Carter, that day may arrive at the end of the current campaign with the Sacramento Kings.

Playing in his 20th season in the league, the former Raptor returned to the court in Toronto on Sunday for perhaps the final time. All indications are that the 40-year-old will call it quits next spring, although post-game, Carter hinted at a return to the place where he made his name.

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Following a toe-to-toe first half, the Raptors pulled away from the Kings in frames three and four to cruise to a 108-93 win at Air Canada Centre. Carter started the game and finished with 4 points in Toronto’s 9th straight home victory. However, the fans in the seats reserved their greatest acclaim for the visiting No. 15.

With 11 seconds left in the game, Carter was replaced to allow the crowd to show their appreciation for a player who has rekindled a close relationship with the Raptors faithful since they cheered him to the point of tears before a Raptors-Grizzlies game back in November 2014.

After Sunday’s game, per Blake Murphy of the Raptors Republic, Carter opened up on a potential return to the Raptors:

Somehow, whether it’s one day or something, it’ll happen. It’s supposed to happen, I think. I can say that now.

In the dying seconds of the game, Vince Carter acknowledges the standing ovation. (Getty)
In the dying seconds of the game, Vince Carter acknowledges the standing ovation. (Getty)

Last month, in an interview with The Undefeated, Carter shared his hopes of one day seeing his jersey retired in Toronto.

At the end of the day, every player’s end result is to see their jersey hanging in the rafters somewhere. That is where it started. Hopefully I will get that opportunity.

Earlier this year, ‘The Carter Effect’ debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival, a documentary capturing the lasting effect the former Raptor had on the city.

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