VINCE CARTER HONOURED BY AIR CANADA | AFTER NO. 15 JERSEY HAS BEEN RETIRED BY TORONTO RAPTORS

 The Toronto Raptors are retiring Vince Carter's jersey this weekend, so Air Canada surprised him with a special livery on one of its planes that will be used as part of its regular fleet over the next six months 🔥🏀

TOP MOMENTS FROM THE 2024 BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME CEREMONY

Class of 2024 inductee Chauncey Billups speaks alongside presenters Tina Thompson (‘18) and Ben Wallace (‘21) during the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement. Reuters
 

The latest inductees into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame were officially enshrined Sunday, highlighted by a handful of notable moments.

The 2024 class included Vince Carter, Chauncey Billups, Michael Cooper, Seimone Augustus and Doug Collins. Jerry West was inducted for his work as a contributor, largely focused on his work with the Los Angeles Lakers as an executive. West became the first three-time inductee into the hall.

This year's class also included the induction of four superfans into the James F. Goldstein SuperFan Gallery -- Billy Crystal, Alan Horwitz, Spike Lee and Jack Nicholson.

There was no shortage of memorable sound bites and moments during the ceremony in Springfield, Massachusetts. Here's a look at some of the highlights from the 2024 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony.

Family love between Carter and Tracy McGrady

Vince Carter speaks on the love and support he's received from his cousin, Tracy McGrady 🤞

📺 #24HoopClass Enshrinement Ceremony on NBA TV pic.twitter.com/3jf2UgtkEj

— NBA (@NBA) October 14, 2024

Cooper shows appreciation for West

"The logo. The icon of our game. He was a friend and a mentor. And I owe him more than he can ever understand."@ShowtimeCooper expressing his gratitude for the great Jerry West 💜 pic.twitter.com/188jF58cDI

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 14, 2024

Billups gives a Detroit welcome, thanks Grandma

Chauncey giving a proper Detroit welcome in his Hall of Fame induction speech❤️ pic.twitter.com/BVHvGDmoIw

— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) October 13, 2024

"We did it grandma, we did it."

Chauncey Billups with a very important thank you to his late Grandma ❤️ pic.twitter.com/jitOZ7oP5e

— NBA (@NBA) October 13, 2024

Wise words from Collins

"In my life if you look at my career, I've never been afraid to fail."

Doug Collins with a message on growing from his failures 💯

📺 #24HoopClass Enshrinement Ceremony on NBA TV pic.twitter.com/tvftGGzzTl

— NBA (@NBA) October 13, 2024

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME ❤️‍🔥#24HoopClass inductee, Doug Collins, gives a heartfelt message on what the game of basketball has meant to him. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/OTZ1RJ1Jfc

— NBA (@NBA) October 13, 2024

Laker greats show support for West

Laker greats in Springfield to enshrine the late Jerry West into the @Hoophall for an unprecedented 3rd time 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/RLeiKxFeHK

— NBA (@NBA) October 13, 2024

Augustus shows off her voice

Seimone Augustus started her Hall of Fame speech with a song dedicated to her home of Baton Rouge, LA 🎵 pic.twitter.com/t2ppHEGBNp

— espnW (@espnW) October 14, 2024

Carter offers a congratulations to the class

"From now on, they don't just say you're first and last name without saying... 'Hall of Famer.'"

Vince Carter closes his induction speech with a congratulations to the entire #24HoopClass 👏 pic.twitter.com/Kg2GonicYo

— NBA (@NBA) October 14, 2024

VINCE CARTER JERSEY RETIREMENT

 

NBA LEGEND DWYANE WADE REACTS TO VINCE CARTER ANNOUNCEMENT

Dwyane Wade reacted to the news that the Brooklyn Nets will retire Vince Carter's jersey.

Mar 4, 2019; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (L) talks with Atlanta Hawks forward Vince Carter (R) after the game at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images / Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

On Thursday, the Brooklyn Nets made the big announcement that they will retire Vince Carter's jersey on January 25.

The Nets will host the Miami Heat at Barclays Center on the night of the ceremony.

Thousands of people reacted to the news on social media, and one person who sent out a post was NBA legend Dwyane Wade.

Wade's post had over 700 likes and 75,000 impressions in less than three hours.

Wade wrote: "15 in the rafters. Congrats my guy @mrvincecarter15 🫡"

Wade and Carter faced off 45 times over their NBA careers.

In those matchups, Wade had a commanding 29-16 record.

Carter spent 22 seasons in the NBA (five with the New Jersey Nets).

He made eight NBA All-Star Games with the Nets and Toronto Raptors.

His career averages were 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.0 steals per contest while shooting 43.5% from the field and 37.1% from the three-point range in 1,541 regular season games.

Via Ballislife.com: "In case you didn't know how ridiculous Vince Carter's highlights were with the Nets!

51 PTS, 8 REB (23/24 FT)

46 PTS, 16 REB, 10 AST, 7 3PT

43 PTS, 14 REB, 7 3PT, 5 AST

45 PTS, 7 3PT, 4 STL

37 PTS, 9 3PT, 4 STL

30 PTS, 10 AST, 8 REB, 4 BLK"

As for Wade, the Hall of Famer retired after the 2019 season.

- Ben Stiner

VINCE CARTER, CHAUNCEY BILLUPS HIGHLIGHTS 2024 HALL OF FAME CLASS

Chauncey Billups. USA Today Sports 

 GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Final Four Saturday began with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2024 announcement in Glendale, Ariz.

The 13 honorees include former NBA stars Chauncey Billups (now head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers), dunk specialist Vince Carter, former Los Angeles Lakers defensive guru Michael Cooper and Phoenix Suns legend Walter Davis.

Carter, an eight-time All-Star who scored 25,728 points in 22 seasons, found the day to be highly emotional.

"It's mind-blowing for me," said Carter, the 1999 Rookie of the Year with the Toronto Raptors. "I enjoyed playing the game of basketball every day. I'm just overjoyed."

Billups was known as "Mr. Big Shot" as a player due to his clutch nature. Billups was a five-time All-Star and the 2004 NBA Finals MVP when he led the Detroit Pistons to the title.

"It really is crazy," said Billups, who played 17 NBA seasons. "I've spent a lot of the past few days being speechless knowing I was going into what I call 'Basketball Heaven.'"

Cooper was one of the NBA's top defenders during his 12 seasons. He was part of five championship teams with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Davis was a six-time All-Star during 15 NBA seasons. The 1978 Rookie of the Year is still the leading scorer (15,666) in Phoenix Suns history.

Former New York Knicks star Dick Barnett also was inducted.

Former Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan and Louisiana high school coaching legend Charles Smith are to be inducted as coaches. Ryan won 747 overall games as a college coach, while Smith won nine high school championships in Louisiana.

Four-time WNBA champion and eight-time All-Star Seimone Augustus also earn induction into the Hall of Fame.

The late Harley Redin, who coached the Wayland Baptist women for 18 seasons, also will be entering the Hall of Fame.

Former WNBA star Michelle Timms was chosen by the Hall of Fame's International Committee. Former coach, player and broadcaster Doug Collins, Indiana Pacers owner Herb Simon and player/executive Jerry West were named as contributors.

West is the first member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame to be inducted as a player and contributor.

The induction ceremonies are Aug. 16 and 17 in Springfield, Mass., and Uncasville, Conn.

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