The Toronto Raptors are preparing to make Kyle Lowry’s place in franchise history permanent.
Toronto announced that Lowry’s No. 7 jersey will be raised to the rafters at Scotiabank Arena following the Raptors’ January 10 game against the Philadelphia 76ers. The ceremony will make Lowry only the second player in franchise history to have his number retired, joining Vince Carter, whose No. 15 was honored in November 2024.
The opponent could hardly be more fitting.
Lowry was born and raised in Philadelphia, starred at Villanova and finished his NBA career with the 76ers. He officially retired earlier this summer after signing a ceremonial one-day contract with Toronto on July 7, allowing him to close his 20-year career with the franchise most closely associated with his legacy.
But it was in Toronto where Lowry became one of the defining players of an era.
He spent nine seasons with the Raptors, earned six All-Star selections and helped lead the organization through its most successful stretch of basketball. Toronto reached the playoffs seven times during his tenure, advanced to two Eastern Conference Finals and, most importantly, captured the first NBA championship in franchise history in 2019.
Lowry also left Toronto as one of the most accomplished players in team history. He remains the franchise’s all-time leader in assists, steals and made three-pointers, a statistical résumé that reinforces why the “GROAT” – Greatest Raptor of All Time – label became so closely associated with him.
“I’ve been looking forward to this moment for years. I always said that Toronto is home, and that I’d retire a Raptor, and to see my No. 7 go up in that building is going to mean everything to me,” Lowry said in the team’s announcement. “We built something special here – my teammates, the organization, the city and the fans, and all of Canada. We became champions together, and to be able to share this night with all of them, and with my family, is going to mean a lot to me.”
The retirement will also be the culmination of a broader celebration of Lowry’s career. Toronto has planned additional “GROAT Nights” on January 7 against Minnesota and January 8 against Utah before the January 10 ceremony.
