5 Toronto Raptors players who attended North Carolina or Duke

1. Vince Carter (North Carolina)

Carter was traded for teammate Antawn Jamison during the draft, and it turned out to be one of the best trades the Raptors ever made. At a time when this brand new franchise needed stability and a star to build around, Carter gave them the first must-watch attraction of the post-Jordan era.

In his 6.5 seasons in Toronto, Carter averaged 23.5 points per game while capturing the imagination of American and Canadian fans thanks to his leaping ability. After a few years of mediocrity, Carter helped prove that an NBA franchise could be successful and bountiful in Canada.

Vince Carter became a star for the Toronto Raptors.

Carter may not have left Toronto on the best of terms, but that doesn’t mean that all of the good he did for this franchise should be completely washed away. That purple No. 15 jersey with the dinosaur on the front remains one of the most instantly recognizable looks in the sport.

Before Carter became an icon in two countries and the first player to guide the Raptors to playoff success, he made his imprint on the UNC-Duke rivalry thanks to an unforgettable career as a Tar Heel. He is still royalty in Chapel Hill.