DeMar DeRozan

 

DeMar Darnell DeRozan (born August 7, 1989) is an American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) and weighing 220 pounds (100 kg), DeRozan plays shooting guard and small forward. Known for his mid-range game, clutch scoring ability, and smooth offensive skills, he played college basketball for the USC Trojans before being selected ninth overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 2009 NBA Draft. A six-time NBA All-Star and with three All-NBA selections, DeRozan is the Toronto Raptors’ all-time leading scorer and one of the most accomplished mid-range scorers in modern NBA history.

 

Early Life 

 

High School Career

 

DeRozan was born in Compton, California, and attended Compton High School. He led his team to back-to-back Moore League titles and was named a McDonald’s All-American in 2008. As a senior, DeRozan averaged 29.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while leading Compton to a 27-5 record and their first CIF Southern Section championship appearance in school history. He was ranked as one of the top players nationally in the 2008 recruiting class.

 

College Career

 

DeRozan played one season at the University of Southern California in 2008-09, averaging 13.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. On December 6, 2008, he scored a career-high 30 points against Pepperdine. He earned Pac-10 All-Freshman Team honors and helped USC make the NCAA Tournament. Following his freshman season, DeRozan declared for the 2009 NBA Draft.

 

NBA Career

 

Toronto Raptors (2009–2018)

 

The Toronto Raptors selected DeRozan ninth overall on June 25, 2009. He spent nine seasons in Toronto, developing from a promising rookie into one of the franchise’s greatest players. Initially coming off the bench, DeRozan became a full-time starter during the 2010-11 season.

 

DeRozan earned his first All-Star selection in 2014, beginning a streak of four consecutive All-Star appearances (2014-2018). He became known for his mid-range mastery and ability to create his own shot. The 2013-14 Raptors won the Atlantic Division for the first time in seven years, beginning five years of playoff appearances under DeRozan’s leadership.

 

During the 2016-17 season, DeRozan averaged a career-high 27.3 points per game, earning All-NBA Second Team honors for the first time. He repeated the honor in 2017-18 while averaging 23.0 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.9 rebounds. DeRozan finished his Toronto tenure as the franchise leader in numerous categories, including regular-season games played, total minutes, field goals made and attempted, and free throws made and attempted. His 13,296 career points with Toronto remain the franchise record.

 

Despite regular-season success, the Raptors repeatedly fell short in the playoffs, particularly against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, who swept Toronto in the 2017 and 2018 second rounds. On July 18, 2018, DeRozan was traded to the San Antonio Spurs along with Jakob Pöltl and a protected first-round pick in exchange for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. The trade devastated DeRozan, who was not consulted beforehand and had publicly stated his desire to remain in Toronto.

 

San Antonio Spurs (2018–2021)

 

In his Spurs debut on October 17, 2018, DeRozan scored 28 points in a win over Minnesota. During his three seasons in San Antonio, DeRozan averaged 21.6 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.6 rebounds while making one All-Star team (2020). He became known for his improved playmaking, leading the Spurs in assists all three seasons.

 

Chicago Bulls (2021–2024)

 

On August 6, 2021, DeRozan signed a three-year, $85 million contract with the Chicago Bulls via sign-and-trade. His Bulls tenure proved remarkably successful on an individual level. In 2021-22, DeRozan averaged a career-high 27.9 points per game while shooting 50.4% from the field. He earned back-to-back Eastern Conference Player of the Week awards in March 2022, becoming only the second Bulls player, after Michael Jordan, to achieve this feat.

 

On February 16, 2022, DeRozan made history by scoring 38 points to become the first player in NBA history to score 35+ points while shooting 50% or better in seven consecutive games, breaking a record held by Wilt Chamberlain. 

 

DeRozan made the All-Star team in 2023. In 2023-24, he averaged 24.0 points and finished second to Stephen Curry in Clutch Player of the Year voting. On March 13, 2024, DeRozan scored a season-high 46 points with a game-winning fadeaway jumper at the buzzer in overtime against Indiana. Despite his individual excellence, the Bulls missed the playoffs in two of DeRozan’s three seasons.

 

Sacramento Kings (2024–present)

 

On July 8, 2024, DeRozan signed a three-year, $74 million contract with the Sacramento Kings in a sign-and-trade involving the Spurs and Bulls. The move allowed DeRozan to return to California for the first time in his NBA career, placing him closer to his five children and family in Los Angeles.

 

In his first season with Sacramento, DeRozan averaged 22.2 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds. However, the Kings finished 40-42 and missed the playoffs. On January 12, 2025, upon returning to Chicago, DeRozan received a standing ovation and video tribute, scoring 21 points in a 124-119 victory.

 

Personal Life & Mental Health Advocacy

DeRozan has been open about his struggles with depression and mental health. In 2024, he published a memoir, *Above the Noise: My Story of Chasing Calm*, which became a bestseller in Canada. The book details his mental health journey and encourages others, particularly African American men, to seek help. DeRozan has spoken to NBA rookie classes about mental health awareness and distributed copies of his book with handwritten notes.

 

References

 

External Links

* DeMar DeRozan on NBA.com

* DeMar DeRozan on Basketball-Reference.com