Bio
Vince Carter's Biography

Carter was picked fifth overall in the 1998 NBA draft and went on to win Rookie of the Year honors in the 1999 season, earning 113 of 118 possible votes -- or 95.6% of the total vote. In his second season, he added to his accolades by garnering the most fan votes -- nearly 2 million -- for the 2000 All-Star team and was named "Athlete of the Future" for the new millennium by ESPN Magazine.

He capped his first All-Star appearance by stunning fans in the packed Oakland Arena with his creative dunks and brought the crowd to their feet again and again on his way to first place in the 2000 Slam-Dunk Contest.

"Ten is perfect, but it's not a high enough score for Vince Carter," one judge said. "He needs to be able to score at least 15." As the new sparkplug of the Toronto Raptors, the former University of North Carolina star is taking all the praise in stride. But, as his career takes off, his legions of admirers continue to grow.

Before the draft, Boston Celtics scout Leo Papile called Carter "the most intriguing player in college. What he does is so scary. How could you pass on a guy who could turn out to be so Jordanesque."

Vince s college honors included playing in two Final Fours in back-to-back years, being named Second Team All-America by the Associated Press, and First Team All-ACC after his junior year at North Carolina. He was a Naismith Award finalist, a John R. Wooden All-American Award finalist and one of the best UNC players of all time.

He was named to the All-East regional team in both 1997 and 1998 before leaving college to join the NBA.

In his first NBA season with Toronto, Carter led all rookies in scoring (18.3 points per game) and blocked shots (1.54), ranked third in assists (3.0) and double doubles (6). He was fourth in rebounds (5.7), fifth in steals (1.10), sixth in field goal percentage (.450) and eight in free-throw percentage (.761)

In his rookie year, he scored a season high of 32 points against the Houston Rockets and bested his own record in his second year with 47 against Milwaukee. He became the first Toronto Raptor to be named NBA Player of the Week.

Amazingly to many, in the midst of focusing on the NBA draft -- what may have been the biggest day of his life -- Vince was eager to use his God-given talents in other stellar ways. Vince immediately contacted organizations that work for children s causes and put plans together to fund his own foundation for children.

Ultimately, those efforts led to the Embassy of Hope Foundation founded by Vince and his family in 1998. Vince s mother, Michelle Carter Robinson, is Executive Director of the non-profit foundation and his dad, Harry Robinson, is treasurer.

Vince s early roots and strong sense of family groomed him for the challenges that would mark his rise in the NBA. A 1995 graduate of Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Florida, Vince was a basketball standout as well as drum major, saxophonist and played baritone in the Mainland High marching band.

His dad, Harry, recently retired after 30 years in the Volusia County school system, including seven as band director. His mother, Michelle, also taught for 19 years in Volusia County schools, retiring in 1999 following her son s first season as an NBA professional.

In September 1999, Vince returned to his high school alma mater and stood at mid-field during the Mainland-Sanford Seminole football game to donate ,000 to the school to be divided between the band and basketball programs. The funds came from his prize money for being named Rookie of the Year.



CARRIER HIGHS

Two-time All-Star (2000 and 2001) who led all players in votes received from fans both seasons
Selected by media to the 2000-01 All-NBA Second Team and the 1999-2000 All-NBA Third Team
Represented the United States at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia and led the team in scoring (14.8 ppg) while starting in five of eight games
Recorded 16 points, four assists and three rebounds as a starter in the 2001 All-Star Game, posted 12 points and four rebounds in the 2000 All-Star Game, and won the 2000 NBA.com Slam Dunk Contest
Named the 1998-99 Schick Rookie of the Year, receiving 95.8% of the votes (113 of 118) for the third largest winning margin of the decade (Shaquille O'Neal and Duncan)
Ranked fourth in the NBA in scoring in 1999-2000 (25.7 ppg) and fifth in in 2000-01 (27.6 ppg)
Surpassed Doug Christie (4,448) to become the Raptors all-time leading scorer (vs. New Jersey on 3/2/01)
Netted a career-high 51 points (13-13 FT, 4-8 3FG) and grabbed nine rebounds against the Phoenix Suns on 2/27/00
Tallied his first career triple-double with 31 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists against the Cleveland Cavaliers on 4/10/00
Named NBA Player of the Week three times in his career
Made NBA debut with 16 points and three rebounds in a 103-92 victory over the Boston Celtics on 2/5/99

perfect player