Raptors to honor Lowry with jersey retirement in January
Toronto will retire Kyle Lowry's No. 7 jersey on Jan. 10 after the Raptors host the Philadelphia 76ers. Lowry, a six-time All-Star with Toronto from 2012 to 2021, helped lead the team to its 2019 NBA title. He will become only the second Raptor to receive this honor, joining Vince Carter.
Lowry’s tenure in Toronto spanned nine seasons, during which he became the franchise’s all-time leader in assists and steals while earning six All-Star nods. His partnership with Kawhi Leonard in 2019 produced the club’s first championship, a run that cemented his legacy as a cornerstone of the organization’s modern identity. The Jan. 10 ceremony follows his one-day contract signing in July, which formally allowed him to retire as a Raptor after stints with Miami and Philadelphia. At 40, he concluded a 20-year career, joining Chris Paul as the only guards under six feet to reach that milestone. His No. 7 will hang alongside Vince Carter’s No. 15, marking a rare honor for a player who never won MVP but defined an era of Toronto basketball.
This retirement could resonate beyond Raptors fans, reinforcing how loyalty and sustained excellence are celebrated in professional sports. For younger players, it may serve as a model of career longevity and community impact, while for Toronto’s diverse fan base, it could deepen emotional ties to a championship era. The ceremony might also influence how other franchises honor non-superstar contributors, potentially shifting norms around jersey retirements.