Raptors unveil new logo as part of a series of events to celebrate 30th anniversary. But what will they do to honour Vince Carter?

The new logo is  the number “3”  in front of the team’s basketball claw mark, which was introduced in 2015, a nod to the dinosaur from the franchise’s inception in 1995.

“We’re always looking forward, working for our next championship, but years like this are a good time to reflect on our team’s history and the amazing things we’ve achieved together, with the support of our fans, our organization, and our ownership,” team president Masai Ujiri said in a media release announcing the logo redesign.

The festivities will commemorate the  2018-19 season, when the Raptors made their only trip to the NBA Finals and won the Larry O’Brien trophy — followed by a massive downtown parade.

The team also plans to pay homage to players who left an indelible mark on the franchise — from rookies of the year  (Damon Stoudamire, Vince Carter and Scottie Barnes) to  NBA all-stars. 

“Let’s celebrate these moments, as we look to add new ones to the list in the decades to come,” Ujiri said.

One of the most anticipated events will honour 2024 Hall of Fame inductee Carter, one of the biggest catalysts for the growth of basketball in Canada. The 47-year-old Carter played his first six NBA seasons in Toronto and captured the hearts of fans across the country with  sensational dunks — including winning the memorable 2000 slam-dunk contest. 

Despite parting with the Raptors on less-than-amicable terms, the 22-year veteran (the longest  tenure in NBA history) has consistently praised the city and the organization in recent years. Whether it’s having his jersey number retired (like the Brooklyn Nets did this past May) or installing a statue in front of Scotiabank Arena, the Raptors haven’t revealed what’s in store.

Raptors fan Joseph Wong thinks outside the box to honour Carter and his impact.

“I think the opportunity here is to broaden the scope of Vince Carter’s legacy, to go beyond just Toronto and to the rest of Canada. His impact was nationwide and that shouldn’t be forgotten,” said Wong, host of the University of Toronto’s “Joe’s Basketball Diaries” series on YouTube. 

The Raptors could name a practice facility or an outdoor public court after Carter, Wong suggested.

Clarification

July 31, 2024: This article was updated from a previous version to clarify that Joe’s Basketball Diaries is not connected with the Munk School of Global Affairs.