Vince Carter "Officially Done" Playing Basketball

Vince Carter, one of just five players to take the floor in 1,500 or more NBA games and the only player in NBA history to appear in a game in four different decades, is “officially done” playing pro basketball.

Carter, whose last-ever basket in the league was a 3-pointer for the Hawks during Atlanta’s 136-131 defeat to the New York Knicks on March 11, made the announcement on his podcast “Winging It With Vince Carter.”

With the NBA season suspended until further notice, Vince Carter checks in and drills a three in the final seconds. pic.twitter.com/XLW1t7uIjW

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 12, 2020

After saying he was”officially done playing basketball professionally,” the eight-time All-Star said that drilling his final shot helped make the decision hang up his sneakers a little easier.

“Making my last shot helped the situation. I think if I didn’t make my last shot, it’d have been a little different. It’d have felt a little different. I’d have been itching to, at least get back and just play one minute and just make one shot — I don’t care what it would be: free throw, layup, I don’t care,” the 43-year-old said. “As a player playing your last game — whether you know it or not — you always want to say, ‘well, at least I made the last shot of my career.’ And I can actually say that, so I’m happy.”

22 seasons in the making. Happy retirement, @mrvincecarter15!

🐐: https://t.co/TtTw0ozXOJ #H15TORY x #TrueToAtlanta pic.twitter.com/Ckd85R9Inx

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) June 25, 2020

Over the course of his 22 seasons in the league, Carter played two stints with the Hawks and also suited up for the Toronto Raptors, New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings.

Carter, who is 19th all-time in NBA history in scoring and was the league’s Rookie of the Year in 1999, will likely be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame when he is first eligible.

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