Kyle Lowry came to the Toronto Raptors in 2012 as a former backup trying to establish himself as a strating point guard. At the time, Toronto was looking for someone to build their identity. But over the next nice seasons, Lowry became the face of their most successful stretch.
The Philadelphia natives toughness resonated with the Raptors’ identity, whether he was talking charges, fighting for the loose balls or controlling the game from the point.
In 601 regular-season games with the Raptors, Lowry averaged 17.5 points, 7.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals. Along with DeMar DeRozan, he helped Toronto become a regular Eastern Conference contender, earning six straight All-Star appearances and leading the franchise to its first Conference Finals appearance in 2016.
Now, the Raptors are giving one of their most important players from that era the highest honor a team can give.
The Raptors Are Putting No. 7 Where it Belongs
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The Raptors announced on Thursday that Lowry’s No. 7 will be raised to the rafters at Scotiabank Arena. The ceremony will take place after Toronto’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, January 10, 2027.
Lowry’s jersey will now become only the second jersey retired in the franchise’s history. Vince Carter was the frist, with the franchise retiring No. 15 on November 2, 2024.
Lowry played a huge part in building the foundation that eventually won the 2019 NBA title. Thereafter he knew that he has built something special in Toronto and waited for the day he gets this honor.
“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.”
After 20 NBA seasons, Lowry officially retired in July 2026 by signing a symbolic one-day contract with Toronto. He finished his career with 16,373 points and 7,110 assists in 1,187 regular-season games.
Over the course of his career, he played for five teams, including the Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Raptors, Miami Heat and Sixers. But his best years were surely in Toronto, where he averaged 17.5 points and 7.1 assists and helped change what the team expected from itself.
