NBA champion Kyle Lowry retires as a Toronto Raptor

The GIST: Five years ago, Kyle Lowry told us he’d retire as a Toronto Raptor — and the 40-year-old kept his promise yesterday, inking a one-day deal with the Raps and choosing to hang up his sneakers in Canada after an illustrious 20-year NBA career.

• Staying in Toronto long-term was never part of Lowry’s plan when he was dealt to the Dinos in 2012; neither was falling in love with the Six. Well, plans change, and now he’s the greatest Raptor of all time.

🏆 Franchise icon, NBA champion, and six-time All-Star: All these highlights on Lowry’s hoops résumé happened in Toronto. He’s the most accomplished player in franchise history, but his impact is bigger than individual accolades: Lowry embraced everything about our country (even the bone-chilling cold), matching the toughness and tenacity of Canadians with every signature charge.

• General manager Bobby Webster divided the Raps’ chapters into “before Kyle” and “after Kyle” as Lowry’s gritty style of play altered the franchise’s course. From the seven straight playoff appearances to the 2019 NBA title, Lowry ignited belief in Dinos fans across the country.

7️⃣ A lasting legacy in Toronto: The Raptors will lift a second jersey to Scotiabank Arena’s rafters during a weekend of celebration in September. Lowry’s nine-year Raps’ tenure was bookended by stops in Memphis and Houston first and Miami and Philadelphia after, but he called Toronto home. The city responded in kind, retiring his iconic No. 7 jersey and naming July 7th Kyle Lowry Day.

• With his mark left on the men’s game, Lowry’s shifting his attention to the women’s side: He and his wife Ayahna Cornish-Lowry (an elite hooper herself) joined the Toronto Tempo ownership group yesterday. Seven forever giving back to the Six.