Kyle Lowry receives the tribute he always wanted: the Raptors will retire his legendary number 7
The ceremony will be a tribute to a key figure in the only NBA championship won by Toronto
Toronto Raptors will retire Kyle Lowry's number 7, making the legendary point guard the second player in the franchise's history to have his jersey raised to the rafters. The ceremony will honor a key figure in Toronto's only NBA championship.
"I've always waited for this moment for years. I always said that Toronto is my home, that I would retire as a Raptor, and seeing my number 7 hanging in that arena will mean everything to me," Lowry stated in a release published on Thursday.
The former point guard especially reflected on everything he built during his nine seasons in Toronto and the connection he developed with the city and its fans.
"We built something special here: my teammates, the organization, the city, the fans, and all of Canada. We became champions together, and being able to share this night with all of them, and with my family, will mean a lot to me," he added.
A historic figure for the Raptors
Lowry joined Toronto in 2012 and spent nine seasons with the franchise. During that time, he became a six-time All-Star and the leader of a team that changed the Raptors' history.
The 2018-19 season was the pinnacle of his time in Canada. Alongside Kawhi Leonard and the rest of the team, Lowry led Toronto to its first NBA championship.
That title made the Raptors champions for the first time and capped off a period in which Lowry established himself as one of the most important players to wear the franchise's jersey.
Kyle Lowry's stats in the NBA
| Statistic | Figure |
|---|---|
| Regular season games | 1,187 |
| Points per game | 13.8 |
| Rebounds per game | 4.2 |
| Assists per game | 6.0 |
| Three-pointers made | 2,209 |
| Historical ranking in three-pointers | 14th |
| Playoff appearances | 12 |
| All-Stars with Toronto | 6 |
| NBA Championships | 1 |
A jersey that joins Vince Carter's
Lowry will be only the second player in Raptors history to receive this honor. The franchise previously retired Vince Carter's number 15 in November 2024.
The decision recognizes two of the most important figures in Toronto's history, although their respective periods represented different moments for the franchise.
Carter was one of the key players in making the Raptors a relevant franchise during its early years, while Lowry ultimately led the team to the 2019 championship.
A 19-season career
Lowry's impact extended beyond his time in Toronto. In addition to the Raptors, the point guard played for Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Miami Heat throughout his career.
In total, he played 1,187 regular season games, averaging 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists.
He also participated in 12 editions of the playoffs, where he raised his averages to 13.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game.
His impact from beyond the arc is also reflected in his 2,209 three-pointers made, a number that currently places him 14th in NBA history.
Additionally, his college legacy is also acknowledged. Villanova retired his number 1 in February 2020.
Now it will be Toronto that ultimately pays tribute to Lowry. The number 7 will occupy a place high in the Raptors' arena as a reminder of a player who, beyond his statistics, was one of the main figures in the most important moment in the franchise's history: the 2019 NBA championship.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Kyle Lowry recibe el homenaje que siempre quiso: los Raptors retirarán su mítico número 7
