Toronto Raptors: Kyle Lowry makes inspiring speech after getting doctorate

The Toronto Raptors are not only about to miss the postseason for the first time in a decade, but they are also going to send Kyle Lowry off on a very sour note given how this year will almost assuredly be the final season he spends with the club. Luckily, Lowry has continued to rack up accolades and praise on and off the court.

Acadia University named Lowry an honorary recipient of a doctorate of humanities for his charitable work both in Toronto and his native Philadelphia. With Lowry now finally able to put “Dr.” before his surname, that will certainly make for a very worthwhile parting gift if he ends up leaving Toronto.

Lowry is still playing like his old self, averaging 17.2 points and 7.3 assists per game, even if he wasn’t enough to overcome the tidal wave of bad luck that ruined this season for Toronto. Despite all of that, Lowry has remained upbeat and positive, and he’s looking to instill those values in the next generation.

Lowry finally addressed the graduating class in a short video message in which he talks about his journey growing up and what he has done to enact tangible change in both Toronto and Philadelphia since coming to the NBA.

Kyle Lowry has done so much good with the Toronto Raptors.

“The foundation’s mission is to improve the lives of the underprivileged and disadvantaged of Philadelphia and Toronto to help them attain a better quality of life,” reads Acadia’s biography of Lowry. “One example of the foundation’s work is that it has provided more than 200 well-stocked Thanksgiving food hampers to Toronto families in need for the fifth straight year.”

Lowry appears to be laying the groundwork for a Toronto exit. Not only has he sold his house in Toronto, but comments like the ones made by Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler have been essentially begging Lowry to leave the Raptors and come to South Beach. With a second ring on his mind, Lowry might be on the move.

If he ends up leaving Toronto after this season, what a ride it has been both on and off the court. He didn’t need the degree to validate what he has done, but it’s a nice box to check.

Even though it is looking more like that this season will be the end of Lowry’s Toronto tenure, the local community is making sure that he feels the love this community has for him. Considering what he has meant to this franchise, it’s only right that he gets sent off with this much bombast.