Vince Carter NBA Rookie

Born on January 26, 1977, Vince Carter graduated from college in North Carolina and now plays the guard position for the New Jersey Nets. One of the most exciting players in the NBA, Carter was chosen in the 1998 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors. After suffering injuries, Vince Carter regained his momentum with the Nets as one of the leading players in the NBA.

Even before entering the NBA, Carter showed promise as an up-and-coming basketball star. While playing as part of the North Carolina Tar Heel team, he averaged 12.3 points per game. During his junior year, Vince Carter was named First Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference, Second Team All-America and became a finalist for the John R. Wooden Award, which is presented to the nation's best player.

As he entered the NBA, Vince Carter amazed both teammates and opponents with his acrobatic moves on the court. That same year, he received the Schick Rookie of the Year recognition and became the first Toronto Raptors players to be recognized as an NBA Player of the Week. During the 1999-2000 season, Carter was named to the All-NBA Third Team and was again named the NBA Player of the Week. By 2000-2001, Vince Carter was becoming very popular with fans and was also becoming a well-known name in the NBA rankings. That season, he ranked among the NBA leaders in seven different categories.

When the 2001-2002 season rolled around, Carter was thriving. On March 22, however, he announced plans to undergo surgery on an injured left knee. This misfortune caused him to miss the final 14 games of the season. In the 2002-2003 season, Vince Carter averaged 20.6 points during his 43 games. It was this year that he missed a career-high 39 games due to several appearances on the injured list. The following season found Vince Carter receiving the most votes in the NBA All-Star balloting program for the 2004 NBA All-Star Game.

Vince Carter made his mark on the 2004-2005 NBA season, during which he averaged 24.5 points per game and ranked 1st on the team in points. In addition, he was awarded the Eastern Conference Player of the Week and Month and was voted as a starter for the 2005 NBA All-Star Game. Vince Carter has managed to find great success both on an off the court. This married father of one was named on of 'Sporting News 2004 Good Guys' in professional sports for his activities away from the court. In July 2003, Carter unveiled a professional-sized basketball court, which was funded by his foundation, in Toronto's Dixon Park. The court is valued at $130,000 and officially opened with Carter sending the first ball through the hoop. In September 2002, he donated $2.5 million for financing the construction of a new gym at his former high school in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Fans who would like to request a signed photo or simply send Vince Carter their best wishes are urged to do so in care of his NBA franchise team. If you are requesting an autograph, be sure to include a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) along with your request. Letters and requests should be mailed to:

Vince Carter
New Jersey Nets
390 Murray Hill Pkwy.
East Rutherford, NJ 07073