EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWith a sea of red, white and black Kyle Lowry jerseys filling the streets of Toronto for an honorary block party, the guard's legacy will forever be stamped in the city's lore with an exclusive commemorative figure.On Saturday, the Toronto Raptors honored Lowry's career with a block party outside of Scotiabank Arena, unveiling a golden raptor statue. The sculpture features Lowry's No. 7 jersey while dribbling a basketball and stands on a nameplate that reads "The Greatest Raptor of All Time. Kyle Lowry | 2012-2021, 2026."The statue unveiling follows the franchise's August announcement that it would retire Lowry's jersey number during the upcoming 2026-27 season. It will be raised to the rafters at the conclusion of Toronto's home matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers on Jan. 10. Along with the statue, the six-time All-Star received a key to the city."I've been looking forward to this moment for years. I always said that Toronto is home, and that I'd retire a Raptor, and to see my No. 7 go up in that building is going to mean everything to me," Lowry said. "We built something special here -- my teammates, the organization, the city and the fans, and all of Canada. We became champions together, and to be able to share this night with all of them, and with my family, is going to mean a lot to me."Lowry, who spent nine of his 20 seasons in Toronto, helped bring the Raptors their only NBA championship in the 2019 NBA Finals. He will also join Basketball Hall of Famer Vince Carter as the only Raptors to have their numbers retired -- Carter's was retired in November 2024.The 40-year-old Lowry announced his retirement in July after signing a one-day contract with Toronto to retire as a member of the franchise.He averaged 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and six assists in his 20 seasons.
