DAYTONA BEACH, FLA -- Countless trophies and pictures sit outside the gymnasium at Mainland High School. 

Each one holds a memory and tells a different story of buccaneer athletics. In the far left corner sits a case filled with trophies, pictures, and memorabilia illustrating Mainland's biggest sports hero; Vince Carter. 

A McDonald's All-American and high school phenom back in 1995, Carter brought home a state championship in his senior season. From that point on, the legend grew. 

"He was the reason we got there," said former Mainland Head Coach Charles Brinkerhoff. "He made everyone around him better." 

Vince earned his coach's respect with his swiss-army knife skill set. His teammates remember him for something different. 

"The dunks you see in high school were better than the ones in the NBA," said current Mainland Head Coach and Carter's high school teammate Joe Giddens. 

The "Half-Man, Half-Amazing" reputation was introduced to the nation during the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. 

"That's what solidified him as the best dunker of all-time," Giddens said.

Carter legendary status continued to grow during the early 2000's with the Toronto Raptors. The Mainland became the franchise's first true superstar. 

"It was a new beginning for him," Brinkerhoff said. "That was Vince having fun, and when Vince has fun everyone should watch out." 

For 21 seasons, Vince has had about as much fun as you can. An eight-time all-star, Carter's resume includes more than 25,000 career points with eight teams. 

Now one of the NBA's elder statesmen, Carter's still got plenty of gas in the tank. 

“I don’t think he’s going to retire until he feels comfortable,” Brinkerhoff said. "He's enjoying the transition from player to mentor."

As for any post-basketball accolades? Giddens says it's a no-brainer. 

"How can he not be a hall of famer," Gidden said? "There’s so much more to being a hall of famer than championships and I think he carries that.”