No. 7 will never fade! At 40, Kyle Lowry announces a major decision: he will officially retire as a Toronto Raptor.

On July 7, Beijing time, Kyle Lowry updated his social media, sharing a six-minute video. In the video, Lowry declared his retirement and highlighted a series of numbers significant to him. A Raptors beat writer had previously reported the news, but Lowry asked that everyone wait for his own announcement. Here is Lowry’s full retirement statement—

When it comes down to it, does your basketball career really boil down to mere numbers?

Is it the salary on your paycheck? Or the stats on the score sheet?

For some players, maybe that’s true.

Don’t get me wrong—I’ve kept track of every single assist I’ve ever made.

And every charge I’ve drawn.

Okay, maybe not every one, but far too many to count.

But for me, the numbers that truly matter and are etched into my heart have a unique, irreplaceable meaning.

The first number is 4.

It might sound strange, but that’s the number of minutes it took me and my brother Lonnie to walk from our home in North Philly to McNair Park.

Looking back now, those four short minutes taught me so much.

Along the way, he’d set challenges: dribble the whole way, use only your right hand, then switch to only your left the next day.

But what he really wanted to teach me was focus and dedication.

Those four-minute walks are the most precious memories of my life.

He was my mentor, my hero—my brother Lonnie.

Now I think back: my mother, Mary, had to get up at 4 a.m. every day to catch the bus. On Twitter, everyone called her BlessMom07. She took public transit across the city’s boulevards to work at the IRS.

My grandmother would take the 33 bus to a Dunkin’ Donuts next to a clip factory.

Through rain, snow, heat, and cold, my mother and grandmother gave everything to make sure my brother and I never went without.

The next number is 15.

At age fifteen, I met my wife.

We met at Carnegie High School, and since the age of fifteen, she has given me the best of everything in life.

Without her sacrifices and support along the way, I never would have made it. Thank you.

She also brought two more precious numbers into my life: our two sons, Carter and Cameron.

You taught me patience, maturity, and most importantly, what true love really means.

You are my legacy—the Lowry family legacy.

I can’t wait to see what paths you choose in life. You’re already ready, anytime.

Number 7.

The next numbers come in rapid succession.

Number 1 was my jersey number at Villanova. Coach Jay Wright taught me there how to be a man of integrity: keep your word, show up when you say you will, and stand by every promise you make.

Then, the 24th pick.

David Stern announced that the Memphis Grizzlies selected Kyle Lowry with the 24th pick.

My time in Memphis taught me patience and perseverance. Thank you, Damon, my big brother—grateful for your guidance.

Next, 20,000 fans.

When we walked out of the tunnel against the Nets, all 20,000 fans in the arena rose to their feet, cheering.

In that moment, I knew for certain: this place had a unique sense of belonging. This was home.

Home is a feeling—a sense of comfort and warmth, a place you always want to return to, a harbor where you truly feel you belong.

And let’s not forget, it’s the people here who made this city my home.

Chuck, Amir, Lou, JV, Terrence Ross, Patrick Patterson,

My favorite Siakam, OG Anunoby with another championship ring,

Norman, Fred—my little brothers, who were also mentors and big brothers to me,

Coach Nurse, Masi, Larry and Judy, Coach Casey, and of course, DeRozan.

I bet you knew I’d mention them all.

If I missed anyone, I’m sorry—memory gets worse with age.

40 years old—that’s how old I am now.

The next number is 2019.

Everyone knows how special that year was.

During that time, we were completely focused—training, warm-ups, every single game—nothing else mattered.

Jurassic Park viewing areas across the city witnessed all our passion.

We knew who we were playing for: the city of Toronto, and all of Canada.

Number 7, the No. 7 jersey—it will always be mine.

It represents me, my family, every step of my journey, my growth, my transformation, and everything I’ve given to basketball.

No. 7 is Kyle Lowry.

It symbolizes grit, perseverance, passion, and above all, a championship ring.

The one who never gave up, who always believed everything would work out.

And all those expectations eventually came true.

The last number is 20.

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to play professional basketball for 20 full years.

I’ve been through many teams: Memphis, Houston, Miami, and my hometown Philly—I’ll always love Philly.

The most important and final stop: Toronto, my home.

Thank you to my family, friends, every teammate I’ve played with, every coach who coached me, my opponents on the court, team staff, media, and all the Toronto fans.

All of this exists because of you.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Thank you, Toronto. Thank you, Canada.

As I’ve always told everyone, it’s now official: I am retiring as a Toronto Raptor.

20 years, plus one day; No. 7 never fades.

I love you all. Goodbye.