Andre De Grasse talks Vince Carter at TIFF premiere of ‘Carter Effect’ doc
TORONTO — Canadian sprint star Andre De Grasse drew inspiration from Raptors legend Vince Carter to finish his university degree.
The 22-year-old from Markham, Ont., who graduated from the University of Southern California last year, was at the premiere of the documentary “The Carter Effect” at the Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday.
“He (Carter) kind of motivated me to go back to school,” De Grasse said. “I remember his whole story, he went back to school and finished his degree and then came to the playoff game. So he definitely is one of my inspirations to finish school and still continue with sport.”
Carter infamously left the Raptors prior to Game 7 of the 2001 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers to attend his graduation from North Carolina. He then flew on a private plane to Philadelphia and attempted the final shot of the game — a 23-footer just before the buzzer that was a little too long — as the Raptors fell 88-87.