And so, when its time for you to feel vulnerable, you fighting against it with yourself. He has experienced depression. The more he spoke, the more DeRozan helped destigmatize mental health, creating space for others to share their vulnerabilities, especially Black boys and men. A life where DeMar would become his own manand a fatherand have to look deep inside and see what he is made of. Standard fit for a relaxed, easy feel; Size Guide; Free Shipping & Returns. Bulls Position Analysis: Patrick Williams needs to buy into the Around that time, his dad had a stroke. Its a phenomenal turn of events for a veteran who has continuously reinvented himself in recent years, from a player once viewed as a one-dimensional leaper into a dynamic playmaker and leader. International Stats at Basketball-Reference.com, College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com, Scores from any date in BAA/NBA or ABA history, Frequently Asked Questions about the NBA, WNBA and Basketball, Basketball-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREE. DeRozan says he looks at it like a video game, remembering playing Mario as a kid. The biggest jolt to DeRozans professional life came in 2018, when Toronto traded him to San Antonio for Kawhi Leonard, culminating in the Raptors winning the 2019 title. On January 29, 2020, DeRozan scored a season-high 38 points, alongside five assists, in a 127120 win over the Utah Jazz. And he brought so much more to the game. Empty inside, DeRozan says. [112], The 2022 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland was DeRozan's third time as a starter and the first since 2018, and fifth selection overall. DeMar DeRozan attended Compton in Compton, California and USC. He was in elementary school when he first envisioned taking his family to another place, another time. Then hed encounter another challenge, learning how to calmly approach it. But DeMar kept pushing. So was standing up for himself, acting tough. He dazzled for USC, climbing up draft boards and becoming a lottery pick. Diane remembers an excited DeMar coming up to her one afternoon, years ago. And you start to have whatever resentment toward yourself. Hes excited about hosting a new show called Dinners With DeMar, where he will have dinner with prominent athletes and entertainers like Michael Phelps, Ben Simmons, and Meek Mill, as well as non-famous people, discussing mental health issues and how to cope with the stresses of life. DeMar DeRozan - NBADraft.net [130] On December 28, DeRozan recorded 42 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in an 119113 overtime win over the Milwaukee Bucks. For the season, DeRozan was named to the All-NBA Second Team. It started with his mother, who lost her brothers to gang violence. DeMar DeRozan [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. He also already had a good relationship with LeBron, and the two spoke about DeRozan joining the purple and gold. A Christmas present all year round, she says, just to see your child happy., He is full of joybut grief lingers beneath. DeMar_DeRozan The Milwaukee Bucks defense clamp Paul Sullivan: Patrick Beverley effect aside, the Chicago Bulls Physically, emotionally, mentally. He hit a wall: I was down and out.. us, High School: Kobe called me!, About a year after Kobe died, Frank passed. A man playing with boys, says Aaron Goodwin, his longtime agent, who has known DeMar since he was an eighth grader. [76] DeRozan finished the 201718 season as the franchise leader in a number of categories, including regular season games played, wins, total minutes, field goals both attempted and made, and free throws both made and attempted. Its something he lives with. He was depleted. To where, when you finally hit the smooth pavement, you really dont realize how smooth it is because youve been riding on a bumpy road for so long., A lifetime of pain taught him that happiness can be fleetingbut joy?