admin A special edition Toronto Raptors jersey unveiled on Thursday aims to capture the essence of the team’s 30 seasons in the NBA.
The black kit features a red Raptor donning Vince Carter’s iconic purple No. 15 jersey, mid-air in a between-the-legs bounce dunk, replicating one of Carter’s legendary moves that secured his victory in the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
Shannon Hosford, chief marketing officer at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, expressed her excitement over the intricate details that incorporate elements from three decades of Raptors’ uniforms.
“It’s really a mixtape of our history,” said Hosford. “The scratch marks nod to the 1995 jersey, while the logo on the front reimagines our classic dino. Every small detail means something to us, and I love it all.”
Though the Raptors showcased the jersey on Thursday, it won’t debut on the court until 21 November when they face the Minnesota Timberwolves at Scotiabank Arena. It will feature in a total of five games this season.
This is the first of the Raptors’ City Edition uniforms to integrate all the team’s signature colours over the years, including purple, red, gold, and silver. It’s also the first to highlight the crest without any text, omitting the typical “Toronto” lettering.
Design details include tone-on-tone claw scratch pinstripes, paying homage to the original 1995 Raptors jersey.
Hosford shared that the design process began two years ago in collaboration with the NBA.
“The initial proposal didn’t fully align with our vision for the 30th anniversary, so we enlisted the help of local artist Kevin Briones, who created this Vince Carter dunking Raptor concept,” explained Hosford.
Carter was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame on 13 October and had his No. 15 jersey retired by Toronto on 2 November, becoming the first player in Raptors history to receive such an honour.
Although the City Edition jersey was only revealed on Thursday, Carter hinted at its design during a press conference prior to his jersey retirement.
“Do you know how huge that is?” Carter remarked. “Even without this retirement day, I could be watching TV anywhere and see a Raptors game with my dunk on the jersey. It’s like being the Jerry West ‘Logo’ — it’s incredible.”
Hosford mentioned that Carter was “fantastic” throughout the design process.
“He loved the jersey, embraced the design, and fully supported it,” she said. “He truly shaped our franchise at a crucial time. Every Raptors fan knows that moment, that dunk. It inspired a generation, and I think he’s very proud to be part of it.”
Team president and vice-chairman Masai Ujiri shared in a statement that the 30th anniversary season is about celebrating the people and the iconic moments that have defined the Raptors’ journey.
“Is there a better symbol of that spirit than Vince’s unbelievable dunk?” said Ujiri. “It’s a reminder of our power to inspire, to dream big. It’s a testament to our Toronto identity.”
The Art Gallery of Ontario will host a special installation featuring the City Edition uniform with a statue of the dunking Raptor. Fans can visit the display from 14 to 17 November as part of their regular admission to the gallery.
Visitors who scan the installation’s QR code will have a chance to win a City Edition jersey signed by Vince Carter.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on 14 November 2024.
Magazine 
