History of DeMar DeRozan in Timeline

DeMar DeRozan is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Sacramento Kings in the NBA. Drafted ninth overall by the Toronto Raptors in 2009 after playing college basketball for USC, DeRozan is a six-time NBA All-Star and a three-time All-NBA Team member. Known as "Deebo", DeRozan ranks sixth among all active NBA players on the all-time scoring list, solidifying his place as a prominent figure in the league.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1986: Five Straight 30-Point Games

In 1986, DeRozan's five straight 30-point games set the best such start to a season since Michael Jordan did it for six straight games to open the 1986–87 season.

1987: Nine 30-Point Games

In 1987, DeRozan became the first NBA player with nine 30-point games in his team's first 11 games since Jordan in 1987–88.

August 7, 1989: DeMar DeRozan Born

On August 7, 1989, DeMar Darnell DeRozan was born. He is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Sacramento Kings.

1995: DeRozan Nicknamed "Deebo"

In 1995, DeMar DeRozan was nicknamed "Deebo" after the character from the 1995 film Friday. He received the name as a sixth grader when he beat up an eighth grader during a basketball game at school.

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2003: Franchise Record

In 2003, DeRozan's combined 72 points bested Vince Carter's franchise record of 65 for the most points through the first two games of a season, set in the 2003–04 season.

January 2007: Chris Bosh named Eastern Conference Player of the Month

In January 2007, Chris Bosh was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month, joining DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry as the only players in team history to be named Player of the Month.

November 2007: Signed Letter of Intent to USC

In November 2007, DeMar DeRozan signed a letter of intent to play basketball at USC, choosing USC over Arizona State and North Carolina.

2008: Top College Recruit

In 2008, DeMar DeRozan was ranked as one of the top college recruits in the nation.

2008: Playoff Berth

In 2008, DeRozan led the Raptors to a playoff berth for the first time since 2008 with a victory over the Boston Celtics.

2008: Awards and Honors in Senior Year

In 2008, during his senior year, DeMar DeRozan received the Moore League Most Valuable Player Award, was named to the California All-State team, was a member of the McDonald's All-American Team, won the McDonald's All-American Slam Dunk Competition, played in the Jordan Brand Classic at Madison Square Garden, played in the Nike Hoop Summit, earned first-team Parade All-American honors, and earned First Team Best in the West honors.

April 8, 2009: Declared for the NBA Draft

On April 8, 2009, DeMar DeRozan announced his decision to enter the 2009 NBA draft and forgo his final three years of eligibility at USC.

June 25, 2009: Drafted by Toronto Raptors

On June 25, 2009, DeMar DeRozan was selected ninth overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 2009 NBA draft to support his mother.

July 9, 2009: Signed Rookie Contract with Raptors

On July 9, 2009, DeMar DeRozan signed his rookie scale contract with the Toronto Raptors.

2009: USC Trojans Achievements

In 2009, DeMar DeRozan scored 21 points in an exhibition game against Azusa Pacific, scored 14 points in his first career regular season game against UC Irvine, scored 21 points against UCLA in the Pac-10 Tournament semifinals, scored 22 points against Arizona State in the Pac-10 Tournament final, earned First Team Pac-10 All-Freshman honors, was named Pac-10 Tournament MVP, and went to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament where they lost in the 2nd round to Michigan State.

2009: Drafted by the Toronto Raptors

In 2009, DeMar DeRozan was selected ninth overall by the Toronto Raptors in the NBA draft.

2009: Bosh Accomplishment

In 2009, DeRozan became the first Raptor since Chris Bosh in 2009–10 to reach the 15-point mark for the eighth straight game to start the season.

2010: Sprite Slam Dunk Competition Runner-Up

In 2010, DeMar DeRozan was the fourth contestant in the Sprite Slam Dunk Competition and lost in the final round against Nate Robinson.

December 31, 2010: Career-High 37 Points

On December 31, 2010, DeMar DeRozan scored a then career-high 37 points against the Houston Rockets.

2011: Competed in Sprite Slam Dunk Competition

In 2011, DeMar DeRozan competed in the Sprite Slam Dunk Competition as a replacement for injured guard Brandon Jennings and finished in third place.

November 12, 2012: Matches Career-High Score

On November 12, 2012, DeMar DeRozan matched his career-high score of 37 points against the Utah Jazz.

November 15, 2013: Matches Career-High Score Again

On November 15, 2013, DeMar DeRozan matched his career-high score of 37 points for the third time, this time against the Chicago Bulls.

2013: Breakout Season

The 2013 NBA season was a breakout year for DeMar DeRozan, averaging career-highs of 22.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. He led the Raptors to a 48–34 record and a third-seed finish in the Eastern Conference.

January 22, 2014: Career-High 40 Points

On January 22, 2014, DeMar DeRozan scored a then career-high 40 points against the Dallas Mavericks.

April 19, 2014: First Playoff Game

On April 19, 2014, DeMar DeRozan scored 14 points in his first playoff game against the Brooklyn Nets, which resulted in a loss.

November 29, 2014: Ruled Out Indefinitely with Injury

On November 29, 2014, DeMar DeRozan was ruled out indefinitely due to a torn left adductor longus tendon sustained during a game against the Dallas Mavericks.

December 2014: Kyle Lowry named Eastern Conference Player of the Month

In December 2014, Kyle Lowry was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month, joining Chris Bosh and DeMar DeRozan as the only players in team history to be named Player of the Month.

2014: Won Gold Medal in World Cup

In 2014, DeMar DeRozan won a gold medal with the United States national team in the World Cup.

January 14, 2015: Returned to Action

On January 14, 2015, DeMar DeRozan returned to action after recovering from a torn tendon, scoring 20 points in a win against the Philadelphia 76ers.

March 30, 2015: DeRozan's 42 points against Houston Rockets

On March 30, 2015, DeRozan had scored 42 points against the Houston Rockets.

November 10, 2015: Season-High 29 Points

On November 10, 2015, DeMar DeRozan scored a then season-high 29 points in a loss to the New York Knicks.

July 14, 2016: Re-Signed with Raptors

On July 14, 2016, DeMar DeRozan re-signed with the Raptors to a five-year, $139 million contract.

October 26, 2016: 40-Point Outing

On October 26, 2016, in the Raptors' season opener, DeMar DeRozan had his third career 40-point outing in a win over the Detroit Pistons.

2016: Eastern Conference All-Star Reserve

In 2016, DeMar DeRozan was named an Eastern Conference All-Star reserve for the 2016 NBA All-Star Game, earning his second All-Star nod in three years.

2016: Won Gold Medal in Summer Olympics

In 2016, DeMar DeRozan won a gold medal with the United States national team in the Summer Olympics.

January 8, 2017: DeRozan scores 36 points against Rockets

On January 8, 2017, DeRozan scored 36 points in a 129–122 loss to the Houston Rockets, marking his 18th 30-plus-point game of the season and setting a career high.

February 6, 2017: DeRozan scores 31 points against Clippers after ankle injury

On February 6, 2017, after recovering from a sprained ankle and missing several games, DeRozan scored 31 points with 50 percent shooting from the field in a 118–109 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

April 27, 2017: DeRozan scores 32 points in playoff win over Bucks

On April 27, 2017, DeRozan scored 32 points in a 92–89 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, helping the Raptors secure their first-round playoff series victory in six games.

May 18, 2017: DeRozan named to All-NBA Third Team

On May 18, 2017, DeRozan was named to the All-NBA Third Team for the first time in his career, recognizing his performance during the season.

November 3, 2017: DeRozan scores 37 points against Jazz

On November 3, 2017, DeRozan scored 37 points in a 109–100 win over the Utah Jazz, including 17 points and a four-point play in the third quarter.

December 13, 2017: DeRozan matches season high with 37 points against Suns

On December 13, 2017, DeRozan matched his season high by scoring 37 points in a 115–109 win over the Phoenix Suns.

December 21, 2017: DeRozan sets career high with 45 points against 76ers

On December 21, 2017, DeRozan achieved a career-high 45 points in a 114–109 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, also setting a personal best with six 3-pointers.

2017: DeRozan played in 10 playoff games

In 2017, DeRozan appeared in all 10 playoff games, averaging 22.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game. DeRozan also received intensive criticism for his benching in Toronto's game 3 loss to Cleveland where Toronto would make a comeback with DeRozan on the bench.

January 1, 2018: DeRozan scores franchise-record 52 points against Bucks

On January 1, 2018, DeRozan scored a franchise-record 52 points in a 131–127 overtime win against the Milwaukee Bucks. This performance matched the team record of 12 consecutive home victories. DeRozan was the first player in NBA history to score 50+ points on New Year's Day.

January 8, 2018: DeRozan scores 35 points against Nets

On January 8, 2018, DeRozan scored 35 points, including a go-ahead three-point play in the final seconds of overtime, leading the Raptors to a 114–113 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

January 13, 2018: DeRozan's 42-point effort against Warriors

On January 13, 2018, DeRozan scored 42 points in a 127–125 loss to the Golden State Warriors.

January 18, 2018: DeRozan chosen as NBA All-Star starter

On January 18, 2018, DeRozan was selected as an NBA All-Star starter for the second consecutive season, marking his fourth overall selection to the game.

February 1, 2018: DeRozan named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for January

On February 1, 2018, DeRozan was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month for January, acknowledging his strong performance during the month.

February 2, 2018: DeRozan scores 35 points against Trail Blazers

On February 2, 2018, DeRozan scored 35 points in a 130–105 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, matching his career high with six 3-pointers.

March 7, 2018: DeRozan scores 42 points against Pistons

On March 7, 2018, DeRozan scored 42 points in a 121–119 overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons.

July 18, 2018: DeRozan traded to San Antonio Spurs

On July 18, 2018, DeRozan, along with Jakob Poeltl and a protected 2019 first-round draft pick, was traded to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. This trade was controversial among Toronto fans.

October 17, 2018: DeRozan debuts for Spurs

On October 17, 2018, DeRozan debuted for the San Antonio Spurs in their season opener, scoring 28 points in a 112–108 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

2018: Traded to San Antonio Spurs

In the summer of 2018, DeMar DeRozan was traded to the San Antonio Spurs after spending nine seasons with the Toronto Raptors.

2018: NBA All-Star Game

The 2018 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland was DeRozan's third time as a starter.

April 16, 2019: DeRozan scores 31 points in playoff loss to Nuggets

On April 16, 2019, during Game 2 of the first round of the playoffs, DeRozan scored 31 points in a 105–114 loss to the Denver Nuggets.

2019: Draft Pick Traded

In 2019, a protected first round draft pick was traded with DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs.

January 29, 2020: DeRozan scores season-high 38 points against Jazz

On January 29, 2020, DeRozan scored a season-high 38 points, along with five assists, in a 127–120 win over the Utah Jazz.

February 19, 2021: Death of Frank DeRozan

On February 19, 2021, DeMar DeRozan's father, Frank DeRozan, passed away after battling several longtime health issues. DeMar regularly flew to Los Angeles from San Antonio or any city he was playing in to be by his side throughout his last moments.

April 26, 2021: DeRozan scores season-high 37 points against Wizards

On April 26, 2021, DeRozan scored a season-high 37 points, alongside ten assists, in a 146–143 overtime win over the Washington Wizards.

August 11, 2021: DeRozan traded to Chicago Bulls

On August 11, 2021, DeRozan was traded to the Chicago Bulls in a sign-and-trade deal. The Bulls sent Thaddeus Young, Al-Farouq Aminu, a protected first-round draft pick, and two second-round draft picks to the Spurs in exchange.

2021: Traded to Chicago Bulls

In 2021, DeMar DeRozan was traded to the Chicago Bulls.

January 1, 2022: DeRozan hits game-winning shot against Wizards

On January 1, 2022, DeRozan scored 28 points, including another game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer, to give the Chicago Bulls a 120–119 road victory over the Washington Wizards, making him the first player in NBA history to hit game-winning buzzer-beaters on consecutive days.

2022: NBA All-Star Game

The 2022 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland was DeRozan's third time as a starter and fifth selection overall. Selected by LeBron James, his squad defeated Kevin Durant's 163–160.

January 2, 2023: DeRozan Scores 44 points in Overtime Loss

On January 2, 2023, DeMar DeRozan scored 44 points in a 145–134 overtime loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

December 12, 2023: DeRozan Passes Clyde Drexler in All-Time Scoring List

On December 12, 2023, DeMar DeRozan passed Clyde Drexler for 35th place in the NBA All-Time Scoring List during a loss to the Denver Nuggets.

March 13, 2024: DeRozan Scores Season-High and Enters 32nd on All-Time Scoring List

On March 13, 2024, DeMar DeRozan scored a season-high 46 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in a 132–129 overtime win over the Indiana Pacers. He also passed Elgin Baylor, Dwyane Wade, and Adrian Dantley to enter 32nd place on the NBA All-Time Scoring List.

July 8, 2024: DeRozan Traded to Sacramento Kings

On July 8, 2024, DeMar DeRozan was traded to the Sacramento Kings in a sign-and-trade deal that also involved the San Antonio Spurs, sending Chris Duarte, RaiQuan Gray and draft considerations to Chicago and Harrison Barnes to San Antonio.

July 2024: Appearance in Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" Music Video

In July 2024, DeMar DeRozan appeared in the music video for Kendrick Lamar's song "Not Like Us", a diss track directed at Canadian rapper Drake. In the video, DeRozan is seen giving dap to Lamar and crouching, staring at the camera during the lyric "glad De-Roz (a nickname for DeRozan) came home, y'all didn't deserve him neither".

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November 2024: Drake Heckles DeRozan and Responds to Banner Possibility

In November 2024, while heckling DeMar DeRozan all game, Drake replied to the possibility of the Raptors hanging a DeRozan banner in their stadium, stating he would "go up there and pull it down myself". DeRozan replied in a press conference by stating "He's gonna have a long way to climb... tell him good luck."

2024: Publication of "Above the Noise: My Story of Chasing Calm"

In 2024, DeMar DeRozan's book, "Above the Noise: My Story of Chasing Calm", was published by Harmony Books. The book describes his experiences with depression, growth, and the slow process of healing.