Once a Raptor, always a Raptor. That’s how NBA veteran guard Kyle Lowry officially closed his career on Tuesday, signing a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Toronto Raptors.
“I always said I would retire a Toronto Raptor, that was everything,” said Lowry during a media conference to discuss his return to Toronto and retirement from the NBA.
Kyle Lowry has a claim to being the greatest Raptor ever
Lowry has a claim to being among the franchise’s all-time greats due to spending nine of the best of his 20 seasons with the Raptors. From 2013-21, Lowry averaged 17.5 points, 7.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game and shot 42.5 percent from the field with Toronto. He made six All-Star teams and played a key role in helping the Raptors win the organization’s first NBA championship.
“The things that I’ve been able to do throughout my career, especially here. It’s special,” expressed a reflective Lowry.
A Philadelphia native, Lowry figured out what it means to play for Canada’s only NBA team after being traded to Toronto in July 2012.