Kyle Lowry's No. 7 jersey is going to the rafters. The Raptors will retire it on January 10 after their game against the 76ers, making Lowry only the second player in franchise history to receive the honor. Vince Carter holds the other retired number.
Lowry spent nine seasons in Toronto and defined the franchise during its rise from lottery team to championship contender. He made six All-Star teams in a Raptors uniform, won the 2019 NBA title with them, and served as the emotional and competitive core of every playoff run during that stretch. His leadership and clutch play in the Finals cemented his legacy north of the border.
The timing fits. Lowry spent last season with the Heat after leaving Toronto, then returned to the Raptors this offseason on a veteran deal. Retiring his number during a game against Philadelphia, the team that drafted him, adds another layer to the moment. He never won it all with the 76ers, but his Raptors run with that franchise proved he belonged among the greats who built Toronto into an Eastern Conference power.