Trae Young setting up Vince Carter for his last-ever shot in the NBA is what you remember when you see the two stars together. It was a moment that reflected the love and respect Young held for VC as a legend of the game. However, it seems the tables have now turned, and the 8x All-Star has taken the role of Ice-Trae’s admirer. Case in point: Vinsanity’s interaction with Young ahead of the 26-year-old’s recent matchup against the Brooklyn Nets.
The Hawks might have fallen short against the Nets, but Young managed to garner much fan love for himself even before the game began. And as he stood surrounded by fans signing autographs, an unexpected guest made an appearance—Vince Carter.
The Hawks’ official X account shared a video of the moment, captioning it, “Huge surprise from Trae’s biggest fan: Vince Carter [laughing emoji].” In the clip, Carter could be seen playfully approaching Young, after which he whispered something to him. A small but meaningful gesture that reflected their close bond.
Huge surprise from Trae’s biggest fan: Vince Carter pic.twitter.com/pm8BKOz33g
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 16, 2025
That bond is hardly surprising given their shared history. Carter spent the final two years of his legendary career with the Hawks, coinciding with Young’s first two seasons in the league. During that time, the veteran served as a mentor to the young star, helping guide him through his early years. Young’s rapid rise, including leading the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals just a year after Carter’s retirement, is a testament to the influence Vinsanity had on him.
Furthermore, Young himself has acknowledged the impact Carter had on his development. In an interview with Ernie Johnson, the Hawks guard revealed that his teammates referred to Carter as “Yoda” because of the vast knowledge he shared. That nickname alone speaks volumes about the wisdom and leadership the Hall of Famer provided during his time in Atlanta.
The respect Young holds for Carter was also evident when the 8x All-Star was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in October last year. To celebrate the occasion, the Hawks shared a congratulatory post on social media, writing, “Orange jacket fits just right. Congrats on your induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Vince Carter.” Young later reposted it on his Instagram story with a simple yet heartfelt message: “H.O.F. VINCE CARTER!”
However, this was just tip of the iceberg of the emotions that Young had on VC’s HOF induction:
Trae Young admitted feeling overwhelmed on Vince Carter receiving the highest basketball honor
Young has never shied away from showing love for the legends who paved the way in the NBA. So when one of those legends—who also happened to be his former teammate—received basketball’s highest honor, it hit him on a personal level. VC’s Hall of Fame induction wasn’t just a historic moment for the league; for Young, it was an emotional one.
Carter himself took time in his HOF speech to thank Young and the many others who had been part of his journey. But for Young, watching his former teammate get enshrined was something else entirely.
“I almost cried,” the 4x All-Star admitted to Jameelah Johnson on October 14. “It was an unreal feeling just watching Vince getting inducted into the Hall of Fame. I hate I couldn’t be there… I remember him saying he had 261 teammates that he played with over his career. And I’m just fortunate enough to be one of them.”
And it’s not just about being part of Carter’s journey—Young will always hold onto one special moment. “Even when I’m 40, 50 years old, I’m going tell people I gave Vince his last bucket. And just – that assist, that’s one of my most memorable assists that I’ve ever had,” he said.
No wonder Vince Carter displayed a similar level of excitement for Young ahead of the 4x All-Star’s 28 points and 12 assists against the Nets.
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