Raptors’ Kyle Lowry Has Jersey Retired at Villanova

Josh Martin, Feb 28, 2020
Posted in Features

Kyle Lowry has already played in six NBA All-Star Games and might win another championship at some point, to go with the one he won with Kawhi Leonard, Pascal Siakam and the Toronto Raptors in 2019. But there’s one thing he’ll never do again: have his jersey retired at Villanova.

The Wildcats raised the Philadelphia native’s No. 1 to the rafters at Finneran Pavilion in a halftime ceremony during the home team’s 71-60 win over St. John’s on Wednesday. Kyle was joined by some of his former college teammates on the court and by his sons, Karter and Kameron, at a press conference after the occasion.

During his time on campus (2004-06), the now-33-year-old point guard helped Villanova clinch its first two NCAA Tournament appearances under current head coach Jay Wright. The Memphis Grizzlies then selected him with the No. 24 pick in the 2006 NBA draft.

In addition to his title in Toronto, Kyle won a gold medal with USA Basketball at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, and is on the 44-player list to be considered for Team USA at this year’s Olympics in Tokyo.

Josh Martin is the Editorial Director of CloseUp360. He previously covered the NBA for Bleacher Report and USA Today Sports Media Group, and has written for Yahoo! Sports and Complex. He is also the co-host of the Hollywood Hoops podcast. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram.