Vince Carter
The Hall of Fame legend who brought four decades of NBA experience to the Clippers.
Vince Carter is an American former professional basketball player who played for 22 seasons in the NBA, primarily at shooting guard and small forward. An eight-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA Team selection, he is the only player to have played in the NBA in four different decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s, 2020s). In 2024, Carter was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Known for his high-flying dunks, he earned nicknames such as "Vinsanity", "Air Canada", and "Half Man, Half Amazing".
- Role
- Veteran Forward / Shooting Guard
- Jersey Number
- 15
- Status
- Retired
- Draft Class
- 1998 NBA Draft
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Carter's NBA journey began when he was selected with the fifth overall pick in the 1998 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors, who traded him to the Toronto Raptors. He won the 1999 NBA Rookie of the Year Award and the Slam Dunk Contest at the 2000 NBA All-Star Weekend. His Dunk of Death against France during the 2000 Summer Olympics is considered one of the most famous of all time. He also played for the New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, and Atlanta Hawks, receiving the Twyman–Stokes Teammate of the Year Award in 2016.
In Their Own Story
Carter's time with the Clippers came after a career that saw him average a career-high 27.6 points per game in 2000–01, make the All-NBA Second Team, and lead the Raptors to their first-ever playoff series win in 2001. He scored 50 points in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers and set an NBA playoff record for most three-point field goals made in one game. Off the court, he established the Embassy of Hope Foundation and was recognized as Child Advocate of the Year in 2000.
Reader's Guide
Carter's legacy includes being ranked as the greatest dunker of all time by numerous players, journalists, and by the NBA. He made the eleventh most three-point field goals in league history. A high school McDonald's All-American, he played college basketball for three years with the North Carolina Tar Heels, twice advancing to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament. He graduated from North Carolina in August 2000 with a degree in Afro-American studies.
Did You Know?
- Carter is the only player to have played in the NBA in four different decades: the 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s.
- He played 22 NBA seasons, the second longest after LeBron James for the most seasons played in league history.
- Carter won the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest with dunks including a 360° windmill and an 'elbow in the rim' dunk.
- He was offered a saxophone scholarship to attend Bethune–Cookman University in Daytona Beach.
- Carter graduated from North Carolina in August 2000 with a degree in Afro-American studies.