​Kyle Lowry fulfilled the final pledge he had long held as a player: to re-sign with the Toronto Raptors so he could finish his career where he began and feel at home. On Tuesday, he made that vow a reality. A 12-time NBA veteran who has played 20 seasons, Lowry announced on social media that he is signing a ceremonial one-day contract with the Raptors and will retire as a member of the franchise. He helped lead Toronto to its first and only NBA championship in 2019, and he has long considered the city—and its fans—home.
Lowry confirmed the plan ahead of a scheduled news conference in Toronto later that day. The date, July 7 or 7/7, was a nod to the No. 7 he wore for the Raptors. “Thank you to my family, my friends, my teammates, my coaches, my opponents, the staff, the media and especially the fans,” Lowry said. “It’s all about you. I appreciate you. Thank you. Thank you, Toronto. Thank you, Canada. And as I always told y’all, it’s officially happening. I’m retiring as a Toronto Raptor — 20 years and one day.”
Tributes began pouring in as soon as Lowry posted the video, many hailing him as the Greatest Raptor of All-Time, a nod to the nickname GROAT that fans use for him. The 40-year-old Philadelphia native played college basketball at Villanova before entering the NBA in 2006. He is one of only two point guards to have played 20 seasons, with Chris Paul being the other and Mike Conley Jr. poised to join the club this season.
Lowry concluded his playing days in his actual hometown, spending the past season with the Philadelphia 76ers and appearing in 14 games. He publicly announced his retirement in the city he considers home—Toronto, the place where he became an All-Star and a champion. He became a six-time All-Star, all of those appearances coming during his time with the Raptors. He also earned an Olympic gold medal with the United States in 2016 at Rio de Janeiro, was an All-NBA selection in 2015-16, and took on a new role off the court last year as an analyst for Prime Video.
Drafted No. 24 by Memphis in 2006, Lowry also played for Houston, Miami, the 76ers, and the Raptors during his NBA journey. Over his career, he averaged 13.8 points and six assists per game, and his 2,209 made three-pointers rank 14th in NBA history.