Kyle Lowrey officially signed a one-day contract to retire as a Toronto Raptor. Lowry and Toronto Raptors general manager and executive vice president Bobby Webster celebrate the moment at a press conference today. (Courtesy: @nowtoronto/TikTok & @raptors/Instagram)
Big news has been announced in the city of Toronto today, as Kyle Lowry has confirmed that he is officially retiring as a Toronto Raptor.
On Tuesday, Lowry came back to the 6ix — a city which he calls home, where he attended a Raptors press conference, speaking on his one-day contract to retire as a member of the team.
Toronto Raptors general manager and executive vice president Bobby Webster says the team will retire his No.7 jersey during the 2026-2027 season, and announced Lowry as “the greatest Raptor of all time.”
He will become the second number in Raptors history to be honoured like this alongside Vince Carter’s No. 15 jersey.
At the press conference, Lowry showed his love for the city of Toronto and reminisced on his time playing for the team.
“This place, I call it home. I mean it through and through, everything about the city of Toronto, the country of Canada. Yeah, it’s done special wonders for me, and I appreciate it,” said Lowry.
He spoke of the memories of his family Thanksgiving celebrations and Christmases that were spent in Toronto, but said that giving back to the community, to those that were less fortunate was “the most important thing” when looking back at his off-court time spent in the city.
He shared his plans going into his retirement will be prioritizing family time with his wife and two sons.
“Golf, being home, being with the kids, being a family you know. Being a dad,” he said.
Kawhi Leonard, who is also reportedly returning as a Toronto Raptor, supported Lowry at the press conference, and the two shared a monumental reunion.
“He’s a special basketball player, and I appreciate him even coming. I mean, that just shows, look at his humility to be here for my moment, and just to be here and support, so I appreciate that,” said Lowry.
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Lowry posted a video to his social media this morning sharing the announcement and the journey of his basketball career, emphasizing why it is important for him to end his career, wearing his No.7 jersey as a Raptor.
“Seven forever y’all. That represents me. It represents my family. It represents everything I’ve gone through,” says Lowry in the video.
He played for 20 seasons in the NBA, for many cities, including Philadelphia where he was born. And even so, he is still calling Toronto his home.
Mayor Olivia Chow also officially declared July 7, 2026 as “Kyle Lowry Day” in Toronto.
Lowry played for the Raptors for nine seasons from 2012 to 2021, helping lead the franchise to their first NBA Championship in 2019.
