And he knew that.. He led the Raptors to a 4834 record and a third-seed finish in the Eastern Conference. He still wishes his father Frank, who was his best friend and biggest advocate, was here to see him achieve what he has now. Im pretty sure Ill have a better story for you 20 years from now, he says. Freedom, DeRozan says. [22] On December 14, DeRozan was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played December 713, earning the honor for the first time in his seven-year career and became the seventh player in team history to be named Player of the Week. [92], On April 26, 2021, DeRozan scored a season-high 37 points, alongside ten assists, in a 146143 overtime win over the Washington Wizards. WebFind many great new & used options and get the best deals for 100% Authentic Demar DeRozan Nike Bulls City Edition Jersey Size 58 3XL Motorola at the best online prices at He actually cared, Whitesell says. DeMar DeRozan is not a point guard. Its about living.. DeRozan also moved ahead of Vince Carter for second on the Raptors' career scoring list, trailing only Chris Bosh.[32]. The pushing himself past what he thinks he can do. [35] In Game 7 of the series, he scored 28 points in a 11689 win over the Heat, helping the Raptors advance to the conference finals for the first time in franchise history. In Game 2, DeRozan bounced back and scored 30 points on 9-of-21 shooting in a 10095 win. She feared shed be childless, because of health issues. Around that time, his dad had a stroke. After al, its a positionless league. He was down and depressed.. In 2016, DeRozan signed a five-year, $139 million deal with the Raptors, at the time the second-largest contract in NBA history. All rights reserved. WebDiar DeRozan became a sensation over the course of a 48-minute NBA game on Wednesday and she never touched the ball. [58] On April 9, DeRozan shot 11-for-15 from the field for 35 points against the New York Knicks and became the second player in franchise history with a 2,000-point seasonCarter scored 2,107 in 199900 and 2,070 in 200001. [2], On April 8, 2009, DeRozan announced his decision to enter the 2009 NBA draft and forgo his final three years of eligibility at USC. He kept a smile on his face in the coming days, telling everyone he was all right. He could no longer compartmentalize. I didnt want to tell nobody, he says. [27] On February 22, he became the winningest player in Raptors history, passing Chris Bosh and Morris Peterson with his 233rd career win. [46] DeRozan's six field goals against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 2 saw him pass Vince Carter (3,536) for second on the franchise's all-time list; Chris Bosh still led at the time with 3,614. This was his final game with Toronto. The Milwaukee Bucks defense clamp WebFind many great new & used options and get the best deals for 100% Authentic Demar DeRozan Nike Bulls City Edition Swingman Jersey Size 52 XL at the best online prices at eBay! [84] On December 7, he recorded 36 points and nine assists in a 133120 win over the Lakers. And part of living is accepting all the parts of his journey. [16] On January 14, 2015, he returned to action, scoring 20 points on 9-of-14 shooting in a 10084 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. His magnificent play has revitalized the Bulls, who at 38-21 sit in first place in the East, leading to even some outside MVP consideration. He used to play college basketball for the USC Trojans and has also been a part of teams like Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs in the past. He pushed himself harder than ever, challenging himself to be a more complete player. But when the game ended, his grief resurfaced. He electrified crowds, soaring over opponents for one highlight after another. He was in elementary school when he first envisioned taking his family to another place, another time. WebDeMar Darnell DeRozan (born August 7, 1989) is an American professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA). [18] On March 30, DeRozan scored a career-high 42 points in a 9996 win over the Houston Rockets. Some of my greatest games Ive ever had was me going through the worst things in my life. The day after his best friend died, he dropped 60 against Compton College in a scrimmage, destroying anyone in his path. Nothing, he says. [78] The trade was controversial because DeRozan was a fan favorite in Toronto and had not been consulted about the trade by Raptors president Masai Ujiri beforehand; however, the perception that DeRozan was not a strong playoff performer, plus trading away DeRozan's large contract freed up significant salary cap space. Every time he left his house, he knew he might not return. He flourished, averaging 6.2 assists in three years in San Antonio, exactly double what he averaged as a Raptor. [11] On June 25, 2009, he was selected ninth overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 2009 draft. On May 12, 2013, DeMars fiance gave birth to their first child, daughter Diar. [12] He stated that part of the reason he left for the NBA after only one year at USC was to help take better care of his mother, who suffers from lupus.[12]. DeMar DeRozan is a 33-year old American professional basketball player who plays at the Shooting Guard or Small Forward position for the Chicago Bulls WebDecember 4, 2021, 10:49 PM. When Frank went to the hospital, he looked at his son: I cant die until you make it, Frank told him. It was difficult to explain, as what he felt during All-Star Weekend wasnt elation at the achievement but the culmination of a flurry of negative emotions that had been slowly compounding: Things that I went through that I suppressed time after time. It wasnt one moment but a bunch that blurred together. [29] On March 12, he tied his season-high of 38 points while also recording 10 rebounds and seven assists in a 112104 overtime win over the Miami Heat. I carried it., His closest friends and family found out when DeMar tweeted: This depression get the best of me He posted a picture of the Joker on his Instagram story, writing: The worst part of having a mental illness is people expect you to behave as if you dont.. August 7, 1989. DeRozan says he looks at it like a video game, remembering playing Mario as a kid. [37] The Raptors went on to lose the next two games to bow out of the playoffs with a 42 defeat. [109][110][111] On February 16, in a 125118 victory over the Sacramento Kings, DeRozan broke the record by scoring 38 points, with 6 rebounds and 6 assists, to become the first player in NBA history to score 35 or more points and shoot 50 percent or better in seven consecutive games. You carry that along, he says. Raptors blow 25-point lead, but beat Bucks 92-89", "Russell Westbrook, James Harden, LeBron James lead 2016-17 All-NBA first team", "DeRozan scores 37 as Raptors top Jazz 109-100 for 3-3 trip", "Demar DeRozan has 37 points, Raptors beat Suns 115-109", "DeRozan scores 45 points, Raptors rally to beat 76ers", "DeRozan scores franchise-high 52, Raptors beat Bucks 131-127", "DeRozan helps Raptors beat Nets in OT after Lowry hurt", "Curry returns with 24 points, Warriors beat Raptors 127-125", "DeMar DeRozan Voted As Starter For 2018 NBA All-Star Game", "DeRozan Named Eastern Conference Player Of The Month", "DeRozan's shooting lifts Raptors over Blazers 130-105", "DeRozan scores 42, VanVleet makes winning shot for Raptors", "DeRozan scores 37, Raptors win Game 2, beat Wizards 130-111", "Wall takes over, Wiz beat Raps 106-98 to tie series at 2-2", "DeMar DeRozan Named To All-NBA Second Team", "Spurs obtain DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and first round pick from Raptors in exchange for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green", "What the Raptors can do now that the Giannis dream is over | CBC Sports", "DeRozan leads Spurs past Wolves 112-108; Butler scores 23", "Spurs rally to keep Lakers winless with LeBron, 143-142", "DeRozan outduels Doncic, Spurs' beat Mavs in OT 113-108", "DeRozan, Aldridge lead Spurs to 109-95 win over Pelicans", "DeRozan's season-high 36 help Spurs beat Blazers, 131-118", "DeRozan's 36 points fuels Spurs past Lakers 133-120", "DeRozan has triple-double, Spurs win in Leonard's return", "Leonard scores 25 points, Raptors beat DeRozan, Spurs", "Nuggets erase 19-point deficit in 114-105 win over Spurs", "DeRozan's season-high 38 points helps Spurs top Jazz 127-120", "Aldridge's return helps Spurs rally past Mavericks, 119-109", "NBA Disney World rules: Details of how the bubble will work with league set to resume play in Orlando", "It's over: For first time in 23 seasons, Spurs miss playoffs", "Spurs outlast Wizards in OT, end Washington's streak at 8", "Celtics rally from 32-point deficit, top Spurs 143-140 in OT", "Spurs Clinch Spot in 2021 NBA Play-in Tournament; Latest Western Conference Standings", "Grizzlies end Spurs' season, advance to face Lakers", "Bulls announce jersey numbers for new roster additions", "Chicago Bulls player grades from opening night win over Pistons", "Bulls vs. Celtics: DeMar DeRozan's 37 points helps lead gutsy 19-point comeback win for Chicago", "Embiid, Curry lead short-handed 76ers past DeRozan, Bulls", "DeMar DeRozan's stunning buzzer-beater lifts Bulls over Pacers and into tie for first place in East", "DeRozan beats the buzzer again, giving Bulls 7 straight wins", "DeRozan makes historic NBA consecutive buzzer beaters", "Mo Wagner powers balanced Magic effort off bench", "76ers fend off Bulls as Embiid, DeRozan each drop 40-plus points", "DeRozan delivers with 40 points as Bulls pull away from Spurs", "What? Many times, DeMar came close. Loss was the rhythm of his life, but hed dream up new melodies. If it werent for DeMar, says Love, I dont know if I would have gotten to the point where I could share my story, and be the person, though Im not perfect, that I am today, who has decided to seek therapy, has tried to be a voice and further what he had done for me and for others.. [40] Two days later, he had a 32-point effort in a 9491 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. [43] He passed that mark two days later, scoring 34 points in a 9687 win over the Miami Heat. It was painful, seeing Big Frank, as family and friends called him, so vulnerable, so frail. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. demar_derozan, Position: DeMar misses his dad but is comforted by the knowledge that he is no longer suffering. On February 1, 2018, he was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for January. [41] With a 33-point effort on October 31 against the Denver Nuggets, DeRozan became the first ever Raptor with three straight 30-point games to begin a season. For a guy thats been around the league as long as hes been in the league, its easy just to sit there and say, OK, Ive arrived, says Bulls coach Billy Donovan. And he continues to find solace in speaking up about mental health. [125][126][127] On October 28, DeRozan scored 33 points in a 129124 loss against his former team, the San Antonio Spurs, and he became just the 50th player in NBA history to achieve 20,000 career points. Physically, emotionally, mentally. He hit a wall: I was down and out.. In that game, he set an NBA record with 24 consecutive free throws made in one game. Or write about sports? DeMar DeRozan is on Twitter at DeMar_DeRozan. That just started, he says. [93] Four days later, he logged a career-high tying 14 assists in a 140143 overtime loss to the Boston Celtics. DeMar DeRozan is on Instagram at demar_derozan. DeRozan has played for the United States national team in the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics. On July 14, 2016, DeRozan re-signed with the Raptors to a five-year, $139 million contract. Gunshots, gangs, and funerals haunted his neighborhood. It started to take its toll., He felt the weight of people close to him putting their problems onto him. [137] In nine games, he averaged 4.8 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. The posts went viral, but DeRozan just wanted someone to hear him. Kobe called me!, About a year after Kobe died, Frank passed. [80] On October 22, he had 32 points and 14 assists in a 143142 overtime win over the Los Angeles Lakers. He didnt feel energized by his success. Afterward, DeRozan connected with one player, Greg Whitesell. He has to find out for himself. He almost became numb to the violence, the possibility of death. Franks toughness, his hardness, was love. On February 1, he recorded a 36 points and a career-high 12 assists in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Other times, he takes them to the gym. And just who he is as a human being., When DeMar looks at his daughters, Diar, 8, Mari, 5, and Dayah, 9 months, his hard exterior melts away. All his life, DeRozan has been trying to keep himself together. In February of 2018, DeMar DeRozan, the famed NBA All-Star and player for the Chicago Bulls, posted a tweet that would change his life and the industry forever. (40-42, 10th place in NBA Eastern Conference), More: On January 30, DeRozan was selected for the 2014 NBA All-Star Game as a reserve guard for the Eastern Conference All-Star team. DeMar DeRozan DeRozan has also morphed into a more modernized NBA player over the last few years with the Spurs. Free standard shipping and free 60-day returns for Nike Members. That midrange. DeRozan is now averaging 26.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 48.8% from the field and 33.3% from 3-point range. DeRozan was selected to compete for the 2011 Sprite Slam Dunk Competition as a replacement for injured guard Brandon Jennings. So many people were demanding things from him. WebNine-year-old Diar DeRozan employed a tenacious free throw defense Wednesday night, screaming each time the Raptors went to the line. But now youre dealing with so many emotions, he says, and its clouding your thoughts and your judgments.. [108] This was his sixth straight 35-point game, breaking Michael Jordan's franchise record of five straight 35-point games; he also tied Wilt Chamberlain's record of the longest consecutive streaks of such games while shooting at least 50 percent (DeRozan shot 50, 59.3, 60, 63.6, 66.7, and 68.4 percent).