Toronto Raptors retire Vince Carter's No. 15

Vince Carter hoped Toronto Raptors fans could embrace his complicated legacy with the team during his jersey retirement ceremony.

They did not let him down.

All 19,800 fans at Scotiabank Arena stood for the entirety of the 20-minute ceremony on Saturday night during the intermission of Toronto's game with the Sacramento Kings. Carter spoke directly to the fans in the arena and those watching at home during his brief speech before the purple banner was raised to the venue's rafters.

"When that jersey goes up shortly, it's not just Carter 15 going up, it's all of us going up," Carter said to loud cheers. "The memories that had been created for six years, however you view it, go up tonight.

"So I hope and pray we enjoy our jersey being retired forever."

Carter was joined by family and former teammates for the on-court ceremony MCed by TV broadcaster Matt Devlin. Former Raptors Jerome Williams, Dee Brown, Kevin Williams, Muggsy Bogues, Antonio Davis, Alvin Williams, Morris Peterson, Charles Oakley and Tracy McGrady — Carter's cousin and a fellow Hall of Famer — all watched on from chairs set up on the floor.

A video that featured Alvin Williams, former Raptors general manager Glen Grunwald, Kings forward DeMar DeRozan, Philadelphia 76ers guard Kyle Lowry, former Toronto play-by-play man Chuck Swirsky, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson, Raptors superfan Nav Bhatia, Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry, Toronto all-star Scottie Barnes, Carter's mother, wife and children, as well as Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment chairman Larry Tanenbaum, played at the start of the ceremony to congratulate Carter.

Raptors team president Masai Ujiri psyched up the sold-out crowd with a rousing speech to introduce Carter.

"He is a legend. He's an icon. He's half-man, he's half-amazing," Ujiri said. "He is the Vince Carter effect, right? Yes. He builds our community. He helped us put Toronto on the map.

"He taught us how to fly, and those who don't know how to fly, he taught us how to dream how to fly."

Carter thanked several Raptors front office members by name, rap superstar Drake, his family and former teammates before turning his attention to the fans.

"[It's] an unbelievable day that has never been experienced here on the basketball side," Carter said. "I'm honoured to begin to share this moment together, finally."

It was a cathartic experience following Carter's departure from Toronto after six-plus seasons soured his relationship with the team and its fan base.

Carter was acquired by Toronto in a draft-night trade in 1998, and he led the team to its first three playoff appearances between 2000 and 2002. Grunwald and the entire coaching staff were fired in the 2004 off-season, and Carter had friction with new GM Rob Babcock, which led to him being traded mid-season to the then-New Jersey Nets on Dec. 17, 2004.