DeMar DeRozan reveals why Toronto will always be the No. 1 place in his heart: “I wanted it to be respected for basketball as well” originally appeared on Basketball Network.
As of today, the Toronto Raptors are the only NBA team based outside the United States, a sign of how strongly the Canadian city embraces its basketball. It is blessed with one of the most passionate fan bases, which is often evident from the deafening noise the visiting teams face at the Scotiabank Arena.
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Though Toronto has never been a top destination for superstars entering free agency, it has nurtured a fair amount of the finest talents. Some popular names include Vince Carter, Chris Bosh, DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet.
The Raptors rose to prominence in the mid-2010s thanks to the backcourt tandem of DeRozan and Lowry. They were a legitimate force, finishing as a Top 4 seed multiple times. Still, their ceiling remained the Eastern Conference Finals — until Kawhi Leonard’s arrival in the 2018-19 season changed everything.
A key figure during the pre-Kawhi era, “Deebo” recently opened up about the Raptors’ fan base and their deep love for the game.
“I’m glad I didn’t get drafted nowhere else. Toronto is always going to be the No. 1 place in my heart for everything that they done for me, did for me, supported me through my time there. I grew up there. I embraced that came with playing there, and I just want to give everything back to that place when it came to basketball. That’s why I worked so hard. That’s why I rep so hard. That fan base deserved that when it came to sports even when I got there, I just remember seeing the maple leaf on the TV every single day. I wanted it to be respected for basketball as well,” stated DeRozan, who played nine seasons for the franchise, bringing the city plenty of moments of basketball joy.
Toronto’s very own “Deebo”
The Raptors selected DeRozan as the ninth pick in the 2009 draft, who went on to become a franchise cornerstone. Coming into the league, the 6’6” wing already had a respectable resume consisting of accolades like First Team Parade All-American and Pac-10 Tournament MVP.
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Hence, “Deebo” was a great pickup for the Toronto franchise, which looked to benefit from his explosive athleticism and mid-range game. Making his first All-Star appearance in 2014, the USC product was on a mission to take the Raptors to the next level.
In a recent chat with former NBA player Theo Pinson, DeRozan talked about bringing more to Toronto.
“I wanted people to think of Toronto from that standpoint as well. That’s why I was so dope when we was able to host the All-Star there in 2016 to bring more light to the city because it’s a hell of a city. It’s a hell of a place,” mentioned the six-time All-Star himself.
The surprising exit
Over his nine seasons with the Raptors, DeMar DeRozan averaged 19.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.0 stealsper game. He posted a 353-322 overall record with the team and made five playoff appearances, including leading Toronto to its first-ever Eastern Conference Finals in 2016.
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Prior to the 2018-19 season, DeRozan was traded to the Spurs in a deal that sent him, Jakob Poeltl, and a protected first-round pick to San Antonio in exchange for Kawhi Leonard. The move left “Deebo” feeling betrayed — something that he later opened up about.
“At the end of the day, I gave everything I had to that team, it’s BS,” the mid-range maestro once said.
While Kawhi created history for the Canadian city, leading them to their first-ever championship, DeRozan remains an all-time fan favorite. Many feel the veteran deserves to have his jersey retired. A thought that always gives him the chills. Well, there is always hope for “Deebo” to reunite with his former team, playing the role of a mentor to the current young lot.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.