DeMar DeRozan is one of the most respected names in professional basketball. Born in a city marked by challenges, he transformed his passion for the sport into a brilliant NBA career. As a wing, DeRozan stands out for his mid-range shooting prowess, tireless work ethic, and ability to lead teams in clutch moments. At 36 years old in 2025, he continues to impress fans and opponents with his consistency. This article explores his journey, from his early days in Compton to his recent achievements with the Sacramento Kings, highlighting personal triumphs and his impact both on and off the court.
Early Life and Background
Childhood in Compton
DeMar Darnell DeRozan was born on August 7, 1989, in Compton, California, a city known for its harsh realities and street culture influence. The son of Frank and Diane DeRozan, he grew up in an environment where poverty and violence were constant companions. His mother, Diane, suffered from lupus, an autoimmune disease requiring expensive and ongoing care. This family situation shaped young DeMar, who dreamed of entering the NBA not only for his love of the game but to secure his family’s well-being.
DeRozan’s father, Frank, was a pivotal figure in his life. Working as a plumber, Frank used basketball to keep his son away from the dangers of gangs and drugs. He drove DeMar to every practice and game, emphasizing punctuality and discipline. “My dad saved me,” DeRozan would later say in interviews. This foundation of resilience helped him navigate Compton’s challenges, where basketball became his refuge. By age 10, he was training for hours on makeshift courts, emulating idols like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
His mother’s influence was equally profound. Despite her illness, Diane encouraged her son to dream big. DeRozan often cites her lupus as a driving force to accelerate his path to professionalism. This family story is not just a backdrop; it’s the fuel that drives him today. In 2025, with a consolidated career, he continues to honor his parents through philanthropy in Compton, such as basketball programs for at-risk youth.
High School Career
At Compton High School, DeRozan began to shine. He joined the varsity team as a freshman, a rare feat. In his first year, he averaged 26.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, catching the eye of scouts. As a sophomore, he maintained his pace with 22.6 points and 8.4 rebounds, helping the team secure key victories in the Moore League.
His junior year solidified his status: 22.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3.2 steals per game. But his senior year was explosive, leading Compton to a 26-6 record, a second consecutive league title, and a run to the CIF Division IAA Southern Section quarterfinals. With averages of 29.2 points and 7.9 rebounds, DeRozan earned the Moore League MVP and a spot on the California All-State team.
Beyond stats, he stood out in national events. In 2008, he made the McDonald’s All-American Team and won the McDonald’s All-American Slam Dunk Contest. At the Jordan Brand Classic, he scored 17 points, and at the Nike Hoop Summit, he impressed with his versatility. Ranked the third-best player in the nation by Rivals.com and sixth by Scout.com, DeRozan was seen as a raw gem, ready for the next level.
College: USC Trojans
DeRozan chose the University of Southern California (USC), playing just one season in 2008-2009. Starting all 35 games, he helped the Trojans win the Pac-10 Tournament, earning MVP honors and a spot on the All-Freshman First Team. He averaged 13.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.9 steals per game, with a 52.3% field goal percentage.
Highlights included 21 points and 13 rebounds against UCLA in the Pac-10 semifinals and 22 points in the final against Arizona State. In the NCAA Tournament, as a 10th seed, USC fell in the second round to Michigan State, but DeRozan showed promise. His 485 points as a freshman rank third in USC history, and his 201 rebounds rank fourth. The university retired his number 10 jersey in recognition of his brief but impactful tenure.
This single college season was strategic: DeRozan entered the 2009 NBA Draft, driven by the need to support his family. His decision paid off, marking the start of a path to stardom.
NBA Career: Toronto Raptors
Early Years
Selected ninth overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 2009 NBA Draft, DeRozan signed a rookie contract and started slowly. In the 2009-2010 season, as a reserve, he averaged 8.6 points in 28 games. But progress came quickly: in 2010-2011, he jumped to 17.2 points, competing in the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest (third place).
The 2011-2012 season saw 16.7 points, and in 2012-2013, 18.1 points, with career-highs of 37 points against Houston and Utah. DeRozan adapted to the NBA’s style, focusing on defense and transition. Over nine seasons with the Raptors, he became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer with 13,296 points in 675 games.
Rise to Stardom
The turning point came in 2013-2014: 22.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. He earned his first All-Star Game selection, scoring 8 points. He led the Raptors to 48 wins, third in the East, but they fell to Brooklyn in seven playoff games (DeRozan averaged 23.9 points).
In 2014-2015, despite injuries sidelining him for 22 games, he averaged 20.1 points, including 42 against Houston. In the playoffs against Washington, he scored 32 in one game, setting a franchise record with 20 points in a single quarter. The 2015-2016 season was magical: 23.5 points, co-Player of the Month in January with Kyle Lowry. The Raptors achieved 56 wins, their first 50+ win season, and a franchise-record 23 road wins.
For the first time, they reached the Eastern Conference Finals, defeating Indiana and Miami in seven-game series (30 points in Game 7 vs. Indiana; 28 in Game 7 vs. Miami). They lost to Cleveland in six, but DeRozan shone with 32 in Game 4. His franchise-record 24 consecutive free throws against Portland in March showcased his precision.
Eastern Conference Dominance
The 2016-2017 season brought his first All-NBA Third Team selection: a career-high 27.3 points, five straight 30+ point games to start the season. He scored 43 against Boston and had seven 40+ point games. In the playoffs, they beat Milwaukee in six (32 in Game 6) but were swept by Cleveland.
In 2017-2018, his 52 points against Milwaukee on New Year’s Day set a franchise record. He made his fourth All-Star Game as a starter, was Player of the Month in January, and earned All-NBA Second Team honors. In the playoffs, they defeated Washington in six (37 in Game 2) but were swept by Cleveland again (ejected in Game 4). DeRozan left Toronto as an icon, leaving a legacy of consistency.
San Antonio Spurs: Refining His Game
Traded to the Spurs in 2018 for Kawhi Leonard, DeRozan arrived in San Antonio averaging 21.2 points in his first season (2018-2019). He scored 28 in his debut against Minnesota and recorded his first triple-double (21 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists) against Toronto. In the playoffs, they lost to Denver in seven (22 points per game average).
In 2019-2020, he averaged 22.1 points and 5.6 assists, with 38 points against Utah. It was the first time since 2013 without playoffs (32-39 record). In 2020-2021, 21.6 points and a career-high 6.9 assists, including 37 points and 10 assists against Washington. They lost in the play-in to Memphis.
Under Gregg Popovich, DeRozan refined his passing and court vision, becoming a complete wing. He earned the nickname “Deebo” from a sixth-grade incident, but in San Antonio, he showed maturity, helping a team in transition.
Chicago Bulls: Standout Seasons
Signed in a three-year, $85 million sign-and-trade in 2021, DeRozan wore number 11 in Chicago. In 2021-2022, he averaged a career-high 27.9 points, made his fifth All-Star Game as a starter, and was Player of the Month in February. He hit game-winning buzzer-beaters on consecutive days (end of 2021), a first in NBA history. He had eight straight 35+ point games with 50%+ shooting, a record. He scored 50 against the Clippers and led the league in fourth-quarter points (612).
He earned All-NBA Second Team honors; the playoffs were lost to Milwaukee in five (41 in Game 2). In 2022-2023, he reached 20,000 career points against the Spurs. He scored 46 against Boston and 49 with 14 rebounds against Minnesota. Sixth All-Star. Averaged 24.5 points.
In 2023-2024, he passed Clyde Drexler in the all-time scoring list (35th). Scored 46 points and 9 rebounds against Indiana, with a fadeaway game-winner to force overtime. Averaged 24 points and a career-high 37.8 minutes per game, with 5.3 assists.
With the Bulls, DeRozan revived a dormant franchise, forming a lethal duo with Zach LaVine and leading explosive offenses.
Sacramento Kings: A New Chapter
Signing and First Season
In 2024, DeRozan signed a three-year, $74 million sign-and-trade with the Kings, via the Spurs (Harrison Barnes to San Antonio). His arrival brought veteran leadership to a young, offensive-minded team. In the 2024-2025 season, he averaged 22.2 points in 77 games, becoming the sixth player to average 20+ points in 12 consecutive seasons (joining Kareem, Malone, Kobe, Dirk, and LeBron, minimum 60 games).
Highlights: 42 points with an overtime game-winner against Dallas in February 2025; 22 points against Chicago in March, reaching 25,000 career points (27th player); passed Reggie Miller for 25th in all-time scoring in April against the Clippers. His leadership helped the Kings contend for the playoffs in the West.
Recent Updates (2025-2026)
In October 2025, the 2025-2026 season began with optimism for DeRozan and the Kings. At Media Day, he called his final Bulls season “a shit show,” signaling relief at the change. In preseason games, he praised rookie Nique Clifford, predicting stardom.
Recently, on October 23, he scored 29 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 block, and 2 steals in 37 minutes in a 120-116 loss to Utah (or similar, based on reports). On October 26, after a loss to the Lakers, he criticized the officiating, focusing on inconsistent calls despite his 21 points and 6 rebounds.
He’s dealing with a minor groin injury but is confirmed for the season opener. At 36, DeRozan is sixth among active NBA scorers, and his consistency impresses: in 1,187 regular-season games, he averages 21.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists (46.9% FG, 84.2% FT). In the playoffs, 21.8 points in 63 games.
Playing Style and Legacy
DeRozan is a mid-range maestro, with smooth, unpredictable shots. His lack of confidence in three-pointers (30% career) is offset by drives and free throws. Defensively sound, he uses his size (6’6”, 220 lbs) to contest. His work ethic—extra practices, film study—defines him.
Legacy: Six All-Stars, three All-NBA selections, Raptors’ all-time leading scorer. In 2025, he inspires with longevity, proving skill and mental toughness overcome age.
Personal Life and Off-Court Impact
Father to Diar (born 2013), DeRozan brings her to games; her screams during free throws in 2023 affected the Raptors in the play-in. He lost his father, Frank, in 2021 to health issues, which deeply affected him.
A mental health advocate, he openly discussed depression, prompting the NBA to hire full-time professionals per team. In 2024, he released Above the Noise: My Story of Chasing Calm, detailing his emotional journey.
He appeared in Kendrick Lamar’s 2024 diss track “Not Like Us” against Drake, performing at the Juneteenth show and in the music video (2025 Grammy for Best Music Video). In April 2025, he was involved in a scuffle with a fan at a sushi restaurant after a flashlight was shone in his face.
DeRozan supports Compton communities with basketball clinics and lupus donations.
Conclusion
DeMar DeRozan transcends basketball. From Compton to the NBA, he built a path of resilience, leaving marks on franchises like the Raptors, Spurs, Bulls, and Kings. In 2025, with the season underway, he remains a beacon of perseverance. His story reminds us that the real game is in life, where every shot is a victory against adversity. To fans, DeRozan isn’t just a wing; he’s a warrior who keeps scoring dreams.
