Kyle Lowry retires as a Raptors: “What an incredible journey”
Kyle Lowry has officially announced his retirement from the NBA. A six-time All-Star, 2019 NBA champion, and one of the greatest players in Toronto Raptors history, he closes the book on a remarkable 20-year career
After 20 NBA seasons, it’s officially time for Kyle Lowry to call it a career. The former Miami Heat guard announced his retirement in a video posted on social media, revealing one final detail that meant everything to Raptors fans: he will officially retire as a member of the Toronto Raptors, the franchise where he built the greatest legacy of his career.
I think it’s been an incredible journey
Kyle Lowry
For Lowry, that decision was far from random. In the retirement video, he explained how numbers have always held a special meaning throughout his basketball journey.
There are certain numbers that really matter to me. And they mean everything
Kyle Lowry
One of those numbers is undoubtedly one – the 2019 NBA championship, the first in Raptors history, won with Lowry playing a starring role alongside Kawhi Leonard.
Kyle Lowry closes the book on a 20-year NBA career
The 2025-26 season marked the 20th and final season of Lowry’s NBA career, a milestone achieved by only a select few players in league history. Even more impressively, alongside Chris Paul, he is one of the only point guards under 6-foot (1.83 meters) to reach that remarkable achievement.
Lowry had previously spoken about how meaningful that milestone was to him.
It’s a huge accomplishment in this sport, considering the physicality, the strength, and even the mental energy basketball demands. It meant a great deal to me
Kyle Lowry
From the NBA Draft to a championship in Toronto
Selected with the 24th overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft after starring at Villanova, Lowry suited up for the Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat, and Philadelphia 76ers during his career.
He earned six NBA All-Star selections, but the defining moment of his legacy will forever be the Raptors’ magical 2019 championship run, which culminated in the franchise’s first NBA title.
After that victory, Lowry reflected on what it meant to finally reach the pinnacle of the sport.
There are a lot of players who’ve had journeys like mine and never made it this far. Becoming an NBA champion is something I’ll never take for granted. I know how difficult it is, how much work it takes, and how much luck is involved. I’m grateful to say I’m part of that group of champions
Kyle Lowry
Many of his fellow players paid tribute to him on social media, including Chris Paul, who shared a message on Instagram.
Congratulations, brother!
Chris Paul
With Kyle Lowry’s retirement, the NBA says goodbye to one of the most respected point guards of his generation – a player who became the face of the Toronto Raptors’ rise and the leader of the team that forever changed the history of the franchise by delivering its first NBA championship.