It has recently been announced that the Raptors are set to have their first jersey lifted into the rafters of Scotiabank Arena. According to The Atlantic’s Jared Weiss, Raptors chairman Larry Tanenbaum and the organization plan to retire Lowry’s No. 7 jersey.
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“He will retire as a Raptor and his number will absolutely go up there,” Tanenbaum told Weiss. “The honor will be the first one (for the Raptors) and I love Kyle. I love his leadership. I love his intelligence. I love his passion.”
Tanenbaum’s gratitude for Lowry’s contributions is paralleled with the rest of the coaching staff, including Raptors’ new vice-chairman and returning president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri.
With Lowry leaving Toronto this season, Ujiri spoke on the Raptors’ behalf for all that has been done by the all-star point guard.
“It’s been really tough for us to see an incredible player like that go,” he said. “What that guy has done for this organization, what he has done for this community, with his participation in everything that we can ask for.”
Lowry responded earlier this week in a full-page ad in The Toronto Star, thanking the team he’s stayed with for nine years.
In the ad, Lowry wrote “Thank you for being HOME, Toronto. Forever grateful, LOVE K-Low.”
Lowry has truly left a permanent mark on the Toronto Raptors. He played a major role at the guard position for the team and helped the team capture its first NBA championship in 2019.
In an interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio at Summer League, former head coach Dwane Casey attested to Lowry’s immense impact.
“His jersey should go up in Toronto because he made that program what it is,” Casey said.
Casey would go into Lowry’s growth as a person and player, going from someone who was just an average player in the league to a Raptors icon.
“It’s about growth. He’s grown as a man. He’s matured. And once he got his place in the league, he relaxed a little bit and allowed himself to be coached a little bit more. So it’s all about maturity and growth. And he’s a great example to any young man out there that is kind of behind the 8-ball to make it in the league.”
In his tenure with the Raptors, Lowry averaged 17.5 points, 7.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.
The 35-year-old made six All-Star teams and one All-NBA team as a Raptor, and he is the franchise’s all-time leader in assists, steals, triple-doubles and made three’s.
Lowry will be headed to the Miami Heat via a sign-and-trade that sent Goran Dragic and Precious Achiuwa to Toronto. Although he’ll be seen in a Heat uniform this season, Kyle Lowry will always hold a place in the Raptor’s franchise.
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