NBA superstar Vince Carter of the Toronto Raptors announced Monday that the “Summer Jam” will return this year, after raising more than $450,000 for charity last year.

“I had a lot of fun and so did my friends from around the league who participated,” he said at a media event. “I think the fans did too. So I decided to do it all again this year.”

Carter was joined by Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman, rap artists including Choclair, Kardinal Offishall, and The Rascalz, pop artists Velvet Empire, and other local celebrities, in taking turns shooting free throws for charity. $15,000 was given to the Children’s Aid Foundation from Carter’s Embassy of Hope Foundation.

A charity All Star basketball game will be played at the Air Canada Centre on August 2 at 7:30 p.m. That will follow the Nike Vince Carter All-Star Charity Golf Classic at Angus Glen Golf Club on July 31. The Vince Carter Youth Basketball academy will take place from August 12 to 16 at the University of Toronto and Ryerson University. Tickets for the charity game go on sale June 5 through Ticketmaster.

andPOP had a chance to interview Mayor Mel Lastman, Choclair, Kardinal Offishall, Red 1 from The Rascalz, Maestro, Snow, and Velvet Empire so check back later in the week for full coverage.






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