You might think Connecticut-born baseball great Mo Vaughn would be the best selling throwback jersey in the Constitution State. But no. It’s not NFL killer Bill Romanowksi, longtime NBAers Marcus Camby or Calvin Murphy, or former National League MVP Jeff Bagwell either–all Connecticut-born. Neither is it UConn women’s basketball superstars Sue Bird, Rebecca Lobo or Diana Taurasi. Not Ray Allen, Rudy Gay or Tate George either–UConn men’s hoops luminaries.
According to Mitchell & Ness, the #1 best-selling throwback jersey in Connecticut is the 1998-99 Toronto Raptors jersey #15, as worn by Vince Carter. Toronto isn’t exactly next door to Connecticut (it’s Celtic country there) and Carter went to North Carolina, a foe of the state’s beloved UConn. It’s a mystery. Connecticut is just showing respect, it seems. Carter remains a potent player in the NBA 16 years later.
