Once upon a time, not too long ago, The New Jersey Nets were still alive and well, playing each night to modest crowds of die-hard fans at The Izod Center. And though we have since lost the Nets to nearby Brooklyn, the NJ version of the franchise carries with it a roster of legends who made their mark. For five seasons, Vince Carter dominated the floor each night, proudly donning the New Jersey name. Now, the team will honor the Nets legend by retiring his number.
The Brooklyn Nets will retire Vince Carter’s No. 15 jersey on Jan. 25, 2025, during a matchup against the Miami Heat at Barclays Center. This event marks the seventh jersey retirement in franchise history, with Carter’s jersey joining those of Dražen Petrović, Jason Kidd, John Williamson, Bill Melchionni, Julius Erving, and Charles “Buck” Williams in the rafters.
Nets Governor Joe Tsai expressed excitement about honoring Carter, who played a crucial role in the franchise’s history. “We are thrilled to honor former Nets player Vince Carter, who contributed so much to this organization both on and off the court,” Tsai said. “He is an important part of the Nets franchise history, and we look forward to welcoming him to Barclays Center this season to celebrate his legacy.”
Come fly with us.
The date has been set for @mrvincecarter15’s big night! pic.twitter.com/sAJd2eY8wD
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) September 19, 2024
Carter’s tenure with the Nets from 2004 to 2009 is widely regarded as the peak of his career. In 374 games, he averaged 23.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. He became a three-time All-Star during his stint with the team, joining Jason Kidd and Buck Williams as the only players to represent the Nets in three or more NBA All-Star Games. Carter ranks third in franchise history with 8,834 total points and holds the record for the highest-scoring season in the Nets’ NBA history, scoring 2,070 points in the 2006-07 season.
Carter’s achievements with the Nets include leading the team to three playoff berths, including two runs to the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2006 and 2007. He ranks second in the franchise’s postseason scoring average (26.0) and fourth in total points (701) in NBA playoff history. During his time in New Jersey, Carter was named the NBA’s Eastern Conference Player of the Month three times.
Half man. Half amazing. Forever Net. pic.twitter.com/ffVceq7G7P
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) September 19, 2024
Carter’s retirement ceremony follows his induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024. Over his 22-season NBA career, Carter played for multiple teams, including Toronto, New Jersey, Orlando, Phoenix, Dallas, Memphis, Sacramento, and Atlanta. He holds career averages of 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.0 steals across 1,541 games. Carter is the first player in league history to play 22 seasons and ranks third in NBA history for most games played.
The ceremony is scheduled for Jan. 25 at 6 p.m. Tickets for the event are available at brooklynnets.com/tickets. Further details about the ceremony will be announced later.
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The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.
