Early Life And Career

DeMar DeRozan: A Look at His Career and Legacy

Early Life and Career

WEB DeMar Darnell DeRozan was born on August 7, 1989, in Compton, California. He attended Compton High School and was a standout basketball player, earning McDonald's All-American honors in 2008. DeRozan then played one season of college basketball at the University of Southern California before declaring for the NBA draft.

NBA Career

DeRozan was drafted by the Toronto Raptors with the 9th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. He quickly became a key player for the Raptors, averaging 11.1 points per game in his rookie season. In 2014, he was named an NBA All-Star for the first time.

Toronto Raptors

DeRozan spent the first nine seasons of his NBA career with the Raptors. He was a key member of the team's playoff runs in 2014, 2015, and 2016. In 2016, he helped the Raptors reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.

San Antonio Spurs

In 2018, DeRozan was traded to the San Antonio Spurs. He spent two seasons with the Spurs, averaging 21.2 points per game in 2018-19 and 22.1 points per game in 2019-20.

Chicago Bulls

DeMar DeRozan signed as a free agent in 2021 with the Chicago Bulls. There he has averaged at least 25 points per game and has led the team to the playoffs in both seasons with the franchise.

Legacy

DeMar DeRozan is one of the most underrated players in the NBA. He is a four-time NBA All-Star and has led his teams to the playoffs in each of his 14 seasons. He is a skilled scorer and passer, and he is also one of the best defenders in the league.