By Constance Hill
Name: Vincent Lamar Carter
Position: Guard/Forward
NBA Experience: 6 years
Height: 6-6
Weight: 220
Birthdate: 01/26/77 (Daytona Beach, FL.)
High School: Main (Daytona Beach ,FL)
College: North Carolina ‘98
Offseason: Daytona Beach, FL
Vince Carter scored the most votes (2,127,183), that being the second-highest total in history, in the NBA All-Star balloting programme for the 2004 NBA All-Star Game. In that game he scored 11 points ranking seventh in league scoring an average 22.5 points, and led the team in scoring 49 times.
Vince Carter is named one of The Sporting News’ 2004 Good Guys in pro sports for his off-court activities. On July 9, 2003 he unveiled a new, pro-sized basketball court, funded by his foundation, in Toronto’s Dixon Park. The court, valued at $130,000 officially opened with Carter sinking the first shot. On September 16, 2002 he donated $2.5 million to finance the building of a new gym (the Vince Carter Athletic Centre) at his Alma Mater Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Florida. He established The Embassy of Hope Foundation to support causes for children with events in Florida and Ontario. He received his degree in African-American studies from UNC on May 19, 2001. He has played host to the Vince Carter Celebrity All-Star Game at Air Canada Centre for the past four Summers. The celebrity game has raised thousands of dollars with proceeds going to his foundation. He initiated Vince’s Hoop Group, a programme to recognize students of achievement at selected schools in each of his four seasons in Toronto. Vince Carter has been named a “Goodwill Ambassador” by Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America.
Vince Carter has been the centre of attention since mid-September when his unhappiness became noticeable. His public demand for a trade is affecting his game on and off the court. He is neither having fun as a Raptor nor as an NBA player. The constant barrage of questions from the press, add to his frustration. As his brother-in-law and closest friend in the league Antawn Jamison of the Washington Wizards, told the Washington Post, “He has to enjoy what he is doing, and he’s not enjoying it at all.”
