Carter is regarded as one of the most prolific dunkers and three-point shooters the NBA has ever seen. Vince Carter was a sensational professional basketball player for 22 years, the longest career in the history of the National Basketball Association. Growing up in Daytona Beach, Florida, Carter had a love of music and sports but was passionate about the game of basketball. During his time at Mainland High school, Carter played the saxophone in the marching band, led the drum major, sang alto, baritone, and tenor. He was captain of the school’s volleyball team, led the basketball team to the Florida Class 6A championship and a 1995 McDonald’s All-American. His parents encouraged him to be a well-rounded student-athlete. He would go to accept a basketball scholarship to the University of North Carolina. Carter would help lead the Tar Heels to back-to-back ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament titles and two Final Four NCAA Tournaments. 

Though he would declare for the National Basketball Association draft in 1998, he would keep a promise to his mother of completing his degree in African American studies. Carter was selected fifth overall by the Golden State Warriors but would be traded to the Toronto Raptors where he earned the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, averaging 18.3 points per game. Amongst his peers, Carter was held in high regard. He would be named the Most Influential Veteran by the NBA Players Association at the Players Voice Awards. Throughout Carter’s career, he has amassed some impressive stats as one of the six players to achieve 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists per game for ten consecutive seasons. He is also one of six players to register 24,000 points, 6,000 rebounds, 2,500 assists, 1,000 steals, and 1,000 three-point field goals. Carter has been honored with awards such as the 2016 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award and named to the NBA All-Star team for eight consecutive years.

Poised to reach back, Carter established the Embassy of Hope Foundation to assist underprivileged families in Florida, New Jersey, and Toronto. For his service, he was awarded the Child Advocate of the Year award by the Children’s Home Society and received the Florida Governor’s Points of Light award. In addition to being a servant leader, he continues to expand his influence by establishing the Vince Carter Sanctuary which helps those overcome alcohol and drug addictions. The Embassy of Hope’s slogan, ‘Believe in Your Dreams’ is a representation of how Carter has acquired his success and how he is encouraging others to do the same.