WATCH: Vince Carter Explains Why He Mentored Younger Players

While appearing on the Time Out podcast with Dwyane Wade, future Hall of Famer Vince Carter explained why he was willing to mentor younger players who weren't on his team. 

Vince Carter was a phenomenon pretty much as soon as he stepped foot in the NBA, winning 1999's Rookie of the Year award. He would then become one of the biggest stars in the league for years. 

But Carter was able to change course later on his career, becoming a key bench player for several playoff teams. And along the way he was happy to help out both guys on his team and those that weren't on his team. 

Carter told Wade: 

"I've always been that kind of guy. Like I was comfortable with who I am. I was never afraid to give these guys game when they came in. I’ll never forget this story — we playing against Melo in Denver and I pulled him aside on the court and I said something to him like this, this, this. He's like, 'You know, I'm playing against you.' I was like, 'Yeah, but I want to see you make it, man."

The 22-year veteran has had a successful transtion to life after basketball as well. Carter was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024. He has also worked for ESPN and as an analyst for both the Brooklyn Nets and the Atlanta Hawks. Carter was also part of a group that purchased a minority stake in the NFL's Buffalo Bills.