Vince Carter was named a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame finalist in the Class of 2024 on Friday, in his first year of eligibility.
The eight-time All-Star spent three seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, retiring in 2020.
Carter entered the league as the fifth overall pick out of North Carolina in 1998. He sparked a wave of “Vinsanity” in Toronto, and his high-flying style made him one of the league's top players. As several modern-day stars prepared to take the stage for the Slam Dunk Contest in Indianapolis on Saturday night, memories of Carter's legendary performance in 2000 began to flow.
One of Carter's most notable moments with the Mavericks occurred in the first round of the 2014 playoffs. Hit corner 3 as time expires This gave Dallas a 2-1 series lead over the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs. San Antonio would end up winning the series and the NBA title.
Carter last played for the Atlanta Hawks in his 22nd season in 2019-20, ahead of Robert Parish, Kevin Garnett, Kevin Willis, and Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki, who played 21 seasons. It was the longest career in NBA history.
LeBron James is entering his 21st season this year, but Nowitzki is the only player to spend 21 seasons with a single franchise.
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