Vince Carter: Happy Birthday to the future Hall of Famer

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 06: Vince Carter
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 06: Vince Carter

 Vince Carter is celebrating his 41st birthday as a member of the Sacramento Kings on Jan. 26.  Today, we wish him a happy birthday and discuss his historic career.

Vince Carter is still playing basketball for the Sacramento Kings as he celebrates birthday number 41 today.  Carter is the oldest player in the NBA.  He is one of the few superstars who aged gracefully into a role player and mentor.  Carter has also stayed incredibly healthy and provided value off the court to every organization he called home.  To celebrate his special day, we take a look back at some his moments in the league.

Vinsanity

Carter broke in with the Toronto Raptors in 1998.  Yes, that is right twenty years ago.  By year two he was an All-Star and 25 points per game scorer.  It was in 2000 that he transformed himself into Vinsanity, though.  That dunk contest took Carter from the star player of the Raptors to a worldwide phenomenon.  Below is a video of his life-altering performance.

He went on to be an All-Star for eight consecutive seasons including in 2004-2005 when Carter was traded to the then New Jersey Nets.  His on-court production began to decline at age 31, but he aged gracefully.  Vinsanity played for six teams before coming to the Kings this season.  Sacramento welcomed him as a mentor to their young squad who could still ball out on occasion.

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Carter turned back the clock on Dec. 27 against LeBron and the Cavaliers.  He scored 24 points on ten of 12 shooting from the field with four 3-pointers, five rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block in 30 minutes.

Now and then, Vinsanity returns as he skies and slams down another dunk.  It never gets old.

Final Thoughts

Happy Birthday Vince Carter!  I hope he enjoys his remaining basketball days and has success after he retires as well.  Carter has done wonders mentoring Sacramento’s young talent and should have plenty of coaching and broadcasting opportunities when he is done playing.  All the best Vinsanity.

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