Kyle Lowry Receives Key to Toronto, Unveils Bold Raptors Statue
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Raptors legend Kyle Lowry received the Key to Toronto on Sunday during a grand celebration at Scotiabank Arena, honoring his role in bringing the franchise its first NBA championship in 2019. The centerpiece of the event was an unconventional statue that departed from traditional human representations, instead featuring a golden dinosaur wearing Lowry's iconic No. 7 jersey. The bold artistic choice was met with widespread acclaim from fans, who have dubbed it "the most stylish statue ever."
Key Points
- Lowry was officially presented with the Key to Toronto by Mayor Olivia Chow at Scotiabank Arena on Sunday
- The unveiled statue depicts a massive golden dinosaur with bared fangs and defined muscles, wearing Lowry's No. 7 jersey while dribbling
- The base inscription reads: "Raptor of All Time | Kyle Lowry | 2012–2021, 2026"
- Lowry averaged 17.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 7.1 assists across nine seasons with the Raptors, making six consecutive All-Star appearances
- He remains the franchise leader in assists (4,277), three-pointers (1,518), and steals (873)
- The Raptors signed Lowry to a symbolic one-day contract so he could officially retire as a Toronto player
- His No. 7 jersey retirement ceremony is scheduled for January 11, 2027, following a home game against the 76ers
- Standing at just 6 feet tall, Lowry was celebrated for his tenacious style, frequently drawing charges and diving for loose balls
Why It Matters
Lowry's statue breaks from convention by prioritizing the team's identity over the player's likeness, signaling how deeply his legacy is intertwined with the Raptors' history . For a franchise that only entered the NBA in 1995 and had never won a championship before 2019, Lowry's contributions—particularly his partnership with Kawhi Leonard—transformed Toronto into a title-winning city and elevated Canadian basketball on the global stage .
Lowry's statue breaks from convention by prioritizing the team's identity over the player's likeness, signaling how deeply his legacy is intertwined with the Raptors' history . For a franchise that only entered the NBA in 1995 and had never won a championship before 2019, Lowry's contributions—particularly his partnership with Kawhi Leonard—transformed Toronto into a title-winning city and elevated Canadian basketball on the global stage .