DeMar DeRozan Bio
DeMar Darnell DeRozan is an American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing about 220 pounds, DeRozan plays the small forward position and wears jersey number 10. He played college basketball for the USC Trojans before being selected ninth overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 2009 NBA draft.
Nicknamed “Deebo,” DeRozan has built a reputation as one of the most reliable scorers of his era. He is a six-time NBA All-Star and a three-time All-NBA Team member. He is widely regarded as one of the best mid-range shooters in NBA history and currently ranks among the top active scorers in the league.
Early Life and Background
DeMar Darnell DeRozan was born on August 7, 1989, in Compton, California, to Frank and Diane DeRozan. He grew up in the same Southern California city that shaped his love for basketball and competition. His mother was diagnosed with lupus when he was young, an experience that later inspired DeRozan to support awareness efforts and partner with organizations such as Lupus Canada during his time in Toronto.
DeRozan attended Compton High School, where he played varsity basketball for all four years. As a freshman, he averaged 26.1 points and 8.4 rebounds, immediately establishing himself as a dominant force. His production remained steady through his sophomore and junior years, and as a senior he averaged 29.2 points and 7.9 rebounds per game while leading the team to a 26–6 record and a Moore League championship.
His senior season brought national recognition, including first-team Parade All-American honors, first-team Best in the West selection, and a spot on the 2008 McDonald’s All-American Team, which he capped by winning the McDonald’s All-American Slam Dunk Competition. He was ranked among the top recruits in the country by Rivals.com and Scout.com.
Path to Professional Basketball
In November 2007, DeRozan signed a letter of intent to play at USC, choosing the Trojans over Arizona and North Carolina. He wasted little time making an impact, scoring 21 points in his exhibition debut and 14 points in his first regular-season game against UC Irvine. He finished the season as the Pac-10 Tournament MVP after a 22-point performance in the championship game against Arizona State.
Across his lone college season, DeRozan started all 35 games and averaged 13.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting 52.3 percent from the field. His 485 points and 201 rebounds rank among the best freshman totals in USC history. After the season, he declared for the 2009 NBA Draft.
DeMar DeRozan Career
Toronto Raptors Era (2009–2018)
DeRozan was selected ninth overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 2009 NBA Draft and quickly became a core piece of the franchise. His early years included strong showings in the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest and steady growth as a scorer. By the 2013–14 season, he averaged career highs of 22.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists, earning his first All-Star selection and helping Toronto return to the playoffs.
He became the Raptors’ all-time leading scorer, won three All-NBA selections, and helped lead the team to five playoff appearances. His 2017–18 campaign included a franchise-record 52 points against the Milwaukee Bucks, surpassing legends like Vince Carter and Chris Bosh on Toronto’s career lists. He finished his Raptors tenure as the franchise leader in games played, wins, total minutes, and several scoring categories.
San Antonio Spurs Era (2018–2021)
In July 2018, DeRozan was traded to the San Antonio Spurs as part of a deal that sent Kawhi Leonard to Toronto. Despite the controversy surrounding the move, he adjusted quickly, scoring 28 points in his Spurs debut and recording his first career triple-double against his former team in January 2019. He played a key role in keeping San Antonio competitive during the transition.
His three seasons with the Spurs featured consistent scoring, playmaking, and veteran leadership, including multiple 35-point performances and double-digit assist games. Although the team missed the playoffs in his final two seasons, DeRozan remained productive, finishing with a season-high 37 points and 10 assists against the Washington Wizards in April 2021.
Chicago Bulls Era (2021–2024)
DeRozan signed with the Chicago Bulls in August 2021 on a three-year, $85 million deal and switched to jersey number 11, as number 10 was retired in honor of Bob Love. He immediately became a clutch performer, hitting back-to-back game-winning buzzer beaters on New Year’s Eve 2021 and New Year’s Day 2022, a feat no NBA player had accomplished before.
During the 2021–22 season, DeRozan strung together a record-setting run of scoring at least 35 points while shooting 50 percent or better in eight straight games, breaking a Michael Jordan franchise record. He led the league in fourth-quarter scoring with 612 points, was named an All-Star starter, and finished as an MVP frontrunner. His tenure also included reaching 20,000 career points and finishing as runner-up for the Clutch Player of the Year award in 2023–24.
Sacramento Kings Era (2024–Present)
DeRozan joined the Sacramento Kings in July 2024 on a three-year, $74 million contract. He quickly established himself as a veteran leader, scoring a season-high 42 points in a 129–128 overtime win over the Dallas Mavericks in February 2025. By March 2025, he became the 27th player in NBA history to reach 25,000 career points.
He finished his first Kings season averaging 22.2 points per game and became just the sixth player in NBA history to average 20 or more points in 12 or more consecutive seasons. In 2025–26, he continued climbing the all-time scoring list, passing Kevin Garnett, John Havlicek, Paul Pierce, and Oscar Robertson, and recorded the oldest 40-point, 10-assist game in league history at age 36.
Driving Style and Strengths
DeRozan is widely respected for his mastery of the mid-range game, an increasingly rare skill in today’s three-point-heavy NBA. His footwork, body control, and ability to score in isolation make him especially effective in half-court settings and late-game situations. His passing has also grown throughout his career, regularly producing high-assist totals from the small forward position.
Notable Events and Milestones
Career highlights include his franchise-record 52-point game with Toronto, an eight-game streak of 35-plus points on 50 percent shooting in Chicago, and becoming one of only six players in NBA history to average 20 points per game for 12 straight seasons. He is also one of the top 16 scorers in league history.
DeMar DeRozan National Team Career
DeRozan represented the United States at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain, helping Team USA win the gold medal while averaging 4.8 points per game. He returned to the national team for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where he averaged 6.6 points per game and won a second gold medal.
DeMar DeRozan Family
Family Background and Personal Life
DeRozan is the son of Frank and Diane DeRozan. His father passed away on February 19, 2021, after long-term health issues, a loss DeRozan has spoken about publicly. He has a daughter named Diar, born in 2013, who gained national attention during the 2023 play-in tournament when her presence in the stands disrupted Toronto’s free throw shooting.
DeRozan has been open about his struggles with depression and has become one of the NBA’s leading mental health advocates. His advocacy, alongside fellow player Kevin Love, helped push the NBA to require every team to employ a full-time licensed mental health professional. In 2024, he published his book, Above the Noise: My Story of Chasing Calm, detailing his experiences with mental health and personal growth.
DeMar DeRozan Off-Court
Nicknamed “Deebo” after the intimidating character from the 1995 film Friday, DeRozan received the nickname as a sixth grader after a basketball altercation with an older student. The name followed him from Compton to the NBA, where it has become a familiar part of his identity. He has also appeared in music and pop culture moments, including a cameo in Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy-winning “Not Like Us” video in 2024.
2025 Season Performance
DeRozan’s 2024–25 season with the Sacramento Kings was defined by consistent scoring and historic milestones. He averaged 22.2 points per game and joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki, and LeBron James as the only players in NBA history to average at least 20 points per game in 12 or more straight seasons. His scoring touch remained sharp, highlighted by a 42-point performance against Dallas and a buzzer-beating floater in overtime.
He reached 25,000 career points in March 2025, becoming only the 27th player in league history to do so, and continued his climb up the all-time scoring list. By season’s end, he had moved past Reggie Miller into 25th place, cementing his status as one of the most durable scorers of his generation.
