After some promising years elsewhere, Kyle Lowry saw his career really take off once he joined the Toronto Raptors. Upon announcing his retirement from the NBA in July, Lowry was the franchise’s all-time leader in assists, steals and 3-pointers made.
Because of that, Lowry is considered the GROAT — the Greatest Raptor of All Time, for those unaware of the acronym.
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And to celebrate the GROAT, the Raptors will throw a full weekend in Lowry’s honor. It will culminate with Lowry’s No. 7 jersey being retired and lifted into the rafters Jan. 10, when the Raptors will take on LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers, the Raptors announced Thursday.
The Raptors aren’t just scheduling the game around James’ new team for more attention. Lowry has familiarity with the franchise, as he spent his final three seasons in the NBA in Philadelphia.
Ahead of Sunday’s jersey retirement, the Raptors will hand out a collectible Lowry T-shirt when the team plays the Minnesota Timberwolves on Jan. 7. The following day, the team will give away a Lowry bobblehead before playing the Utah Jazz. The Raptors also promised “special programming and surprises planned throughout both nights.”
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On Jan. 10, Lowry, his family and former Raptors players are expected to attend his official jersey retirement. The team likely has a few surprises planned for that night as well.
Lowry, who spent nine of his 20 NBA seasons with the Raptors, opted to sign a one-day contract with Toronto in July to announce his retirement. The team immediately revealed it would retire Lowry’s number, making it just the second retired jersey number in franchise history.
Vince Carter is the only other member of the franchise to receive that honor.
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