Kyle Lowry is going back to the rafters. The Toronto Raptors will retire his No. 7 jersey after their January 10 game against the Philadelphia 76ers, giving one of the biggest names in franchise history a permanent place at Scotiabank Arena.
Lowry will become only the second player to receive the honour. He joins Vince Carter, whose No. 15 was retired in November 2024.
The timing could not be more fitting. Lowry signed a one-day contract with Toronto on July 7, a clear nod to the number he wore with pride, before announcing his retirement after a remarkable 20-year NBA career.
“I’ve been looking forward to this moment for years,” Lowry said. “I always said that Toronto is home, and that I’d retire a Raptor.”
For nine seasons, Lowry became the heartbeat of the Raptors. He earned six All-Star selections and helped Toronto win the first NBA championship in franchise history during the 2018-19 season.
His impact went beyond the numbers. Lowry played with an edge that matched Toronto’s identity, often throwing his body into loose balls and setting the tone for teammates when games became physical.
Across 1,187 regular-season games, he averaged 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists. His 2,209 three-pointers rank 14th in NBA history, while he also reached the playoffs 12 times.
Toronto was not simply another stop in Lowry’s career. It became home.
“I’ve been looking forward to this moment for years,” he said, “and to see my No. 7 go up in that building is going to mean everything to me.”
