Vince Carter Biography
Uploaded by Gotskillz on Jul 04, 2004
Though he prefers the name "Vince", he was born Vincent Lamar Carter in Daytona Beach, FL at Halifax Hospital on January 26, 1977. He attended public and private schools, beginning at age 4, in Deland, South Miami and Daytona Beach. He was the only seventh grader to ever play on Campbell Junior High School's varsity basketball team as a starter. In addition to being captain of Mainland High School's volleyball team, he is said to be the most gifted and decorated basketball player to grace the court at Mainland High School where he graduated with honors in 1995. Other high school honors included USA Today, Parade, and McDonald's All-America and was voted Florida's 1995 Basketball Player-of-the-Year. Vince provided lots of musical excitement when he played baritone and saxophone in the marching and jazz bands, respectively, at Mainland and was voted head drum major for his senior year. In 1995, Vince was voted to the USA Junior National Team where he played in the World Championships.
As a Tarheel at the University of North Carolina from 1995 through 1998, Vince garnered, for two consecutive years, the statistical leader award. In addition, he earned the best field goal percentage and the defensive player of the year awards in 1998. Vince helped the Tarheels make it to the final four in 1997 and 1998. In both of these games, he was the leading scorer. His outstanding college play propelled him to the five (5) finalists for the prestigious "John Wooden Award" and the national player of the year award.
On June 24, 1998, Vince's parents watched with pride as the former Buccaneer and Tarheel was the fifth selection in the National Basketball Association (NBA) draft. During that rookie season, the highlights and awards started to roll in. Carter became the first Raptor ever to be named NBA Player of the Week on March 21, 1999 and was also named NBA Rookie of the Month in March and April on his way to being named NBA Rookie of the Year in a landslide victory, earning 113 of a possible 118 votes. During that rookie season, Carter led all rookies in scoring and blocked shots while leading his team in scoring, averaging 18.3 points per game.
During Carter's second NBA season, his status as an NBA superstar was confirmed, leading the Raptors to the franchise's first winning season and playoff berth, while garnering impressive individual accolades. Carter led...