Raptors unveil Vince Carter-themed alternate jersey with dunking dinosaur logo
The Toronto Raptors recently unveiled a special edition jersey that pays homage to the franchise’s 30 seasons in the NBA. The black uniform features a red dinosaur wearing Vince Carter’s iconic purple No. 15 jersey, mid-dunk in a between-the-legs bounce reminiscent of Carter’s winning slam dunk from the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk contest.
Shannon Hosford, the chief marketing officer of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, expressed her admiration for the jersey, noting the attention to detail that incorporates design elements from the Raptors’ history. She described the jersey as a “mix tape of our history,” highlighting features such as scratch marks from the ’95 jersey and a reimagined version of the original dino icon.
While the jersey was unveiled on Thursday, it won’t make its on-court debut until November 21 when the Raptors take on the Minnesota Timberwolves at Scotiabank Arena. The uniform will be worn in a total of five games throughout the season.
This City Edition jersey is the first to showcase all of the team’s brand colors over the years, including purple, red, gold, and silver. It also features the crest without any text on the front, a departure from the traditional “Toronto” branding. Additional design elements include claw scratch pin stripes inspired by the Raptors’ inaugural 1995 season.
The process of creating the jersey began two years ago in collaboration with the NBA. After initial designs fell short of expectations, a local artist named Kevin Briones was brought in to create the final Vince Carter-inspired design.
Vince Carter, who was recently inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame and had his jersey retired by the Raptors, expressed his excitement about the City Edition jersey. He described the honor of having his image featured on the jersey as equivalent to NBA legend Jerry West being the logo of the league.
Team president Masai Ujiri emphasized that the 30th anniversary season is a time to celebrate the people and moments that have shaped the Raptors franchise. He praised the jersey for its unique design and its ability to inspire fans.
To coincide with the jersey’s release, the Art Gallery of Ontario is hosting a special installation featuring a statue of the dunking dino. Fans can visit the exhibit from November 14 to 17 for a chance to win a signed City Edition jersey by scanning a QR code at the display.
Overall, the City Edition jersey serves as a fitting tribute to the Raptors’ rich history and the impact of players like Vince Carter on the franchise. It symbolizes the team’s evolution over the past three decades and celebrates the spirit of Toronto basketball.
