It's the most fitting possible date. Toronto had to retire the number of its greatest player when it faced the team from the city where he was born and raised, and where he's also adored.
The Raptors announced that Lowry's No. 7 will be retired on Jan. 10 against the Philadelphia 76ers, coached by Nick Nurse, who led Toronto to its 2019 title. That will come after a series of events in September honoring the player they are calling the GROAT (Greatest Raptor of All Time).
"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 in a release announcing the news. "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."
Lowry was born in Philly and played high school ball in the city, then spent two seasons at Villanova in the years that helped establish the Wildcats as an NCAA powerhouse.
He was drafted No. 24 in the first round by the Memphis Grizzlies and played two and a half seasons there before going on to Houston and spending another three.
Then he came to Toronto and changed that franchise.
another dime from the GROAT #NBAAssistsWeekpic.twitter.com/pHr34Grnjd
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) August 27, 2026In nine seasons in Toronto, he led them to the greatest stretch of Raptors basketball: Seven playoff appearances, five consecutive seasons of 50+ wins, two Eastern Conference Finals and the franchise's lone championship in 2019. With Toronto, Lowry was a six-time All-Star who averaged 17.5 points, 7.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game while hitting 37.7% of his shots from 3-point range. Lowry remains the Raptors' all-time leader in assists, steals, and 3-point field goals.
Lowry will join Vince Carter as the only other player with his number retired by the Raptors.
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