Vince Carter to Join NBC as Basketball Analyst for Tokyo Olympics - 247Sports

Following his 2020 retirement from the NBA, Vince Carter began a blossoming career as a basketball analyst. After a season of calling games for ESPN, the North Carolina basketball legend will join NBC Olympics as a basketball analyst in Tokyo this summer.

Joining him in the booth is Duke women's basketball head coach Kara Lawson and five-time WNBA All-Star Candace Parker. 

"We are excited to have this distinguished trio of U.S. Olympic basketball stars join our commentary team in Tokyo. Vince, Kara, and Candace will bring viewers their unique perspectives on what's happening on the court while also telling the stories about what it takes to make it to the medal stand – from tryouts to practices and qualifying, to medal-round play," said Rebecca Chatman, Vice President and Coordinating Producer of NBC Olympics production.

The Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics is Friday, July 23 on NBC.

Olympic gold medalists Vince Carter, Candace Parker and Kara Lawson are headed back to the Olympics!

They will be joining the NBC Olympics team as basketball analysts in Tokyo. #TokyoOlympics @usabasketball pic.twitter.com/bopOnGpNwG

— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) June 15, 2021

After signing a multi-year contract with ESPN in September, Carter appeared on several popular shows, including NBA Countdown, The Jump, Get Up, First Take, and SportsCenter. The eight-time All-Star was also seen on College Game Day and acted as a game analyst for NBA and ACC men's basketball matches.

Carter minored in communication at UNC and dabbled in broadcasting throughout his 22-year NBA career. Over the years, he has completed the Players Association's "SportsCaster U" camp, called the Jr. NBA Global Championship, and has done work for ESPN and Turner.

In an interview with The Post last year, Carter expressed his desire to win over fans with analytics, not hot takes.

"I wouldn't go (the) Stephen A. (Smith) route," Carter said, referencing the famous ESPN commentator's controversial style. "I wouldn't go the quiet route. I want to explain the game where you are watching it and say: 'Ah, that makes sense.'"

Carter retired last offseason after an NBA-record 22 seasons in the league that saw him become the first player to compete in four different decades. His 1,541 games played is third all-time behind Robert Parish and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Carter's 25,728 career points place him at No. 19 on the NBA's all-time scoring list — second only to Michael Jordan among former Tar Heels. His decorated resume also includes eight All-Star appearances, two All-NBA selections, NBA Rookie of the Year honors, and a Slam Dunk Contest crown.

After a stellar college career, Carter was selected No. 5 overall in the 1998 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. He was immediately dealt to the Toronto Raptors for Antawn Jamison, the fourth overall pick and Carter's friend and UNC teammate.

Carter's last Olympic action came at the Sydney games in 2000, where he led the gold-medal winning Team USA in scoring (14.8 points per game).