NBA stalwart Kyle Lowry has officially brought his illustrious 20-season career to a close, fulfilling a long-held promise to retire with the Toronto Raptors. The 40-year-old point guard, widely considered the 'Greatest Raptor Of All-Time' by fans, confirmed his retirement on Tuesday, having signed a ceremonial one-day contract with the Canadian franchise.
The announcement on July 7th (7/7) was a deliberate and poignant nod to the No. 7 jersey he famously wore during his most successful years with the Raptors. Lowry, a Philadelphia native who played college basketball for Villanova, expressed profound gratitude in a social media video, thanking his family, friends, teammates, coaches, and crucially, the fans in Toronto and across Canada. He stated, "It's officially happening. I'm retiring as a Toronto Raptor — 20 years and one day."
Lowry's tenure with the Raptors was transformative, culminating in the team's historic 2019 NBA championship. All six of his All-Star selections came during his time in Toronto, solidifying his status as a franchise legend. Beyond his achievements with the Raptors, Lowry also secured an Olympic gold medal with the United States national team at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games and was an All-NBA selection in the 2015-16 season.
Drafted 24th overall in the 2006 NBA draft by Memphis, Lowry also played for the Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, and most recently, the Philadelphia 76ers, where he concluded his playing days in his actual hometown. He appeared in 14 games for the 76ers this past season before making the symbolic return to Toronto to retire. His career statistics include averages of 13.8 points and six assists per game, with his 2,209 made 3-pointers placing him 14th in NBA history.
Even before formally retiring from playing, Lowry had already embarked on a new chapter, having been announced last year as an analyst for Prime Video. This transition suggests he will remain a prominent figure in the basketball world, albeit in a different capacity, continuing to share his extensive knowledge and experience with a wider audience.