The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday they have signed first-round draft pick DeMar DeRozan (duh-MAR duh ROSE-ann) from the University of Southern California to his rookie scale contract. He is under contract through the 2010-11 season, with two team option years to follow. The Raptors selected DeRozan with the ninth overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft. Per team policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
All NBA first round draft picks are guaranteed a contract should they come to the league, so this is standard.
DeRozan is expected to see his first action as a member of the Raptors during the Las Vegas Summer Pro League presented by EA Sports in Las Vegas, Nevada from July 10-19. The Raptors’ entry will open play Friday, July 10 versus the Los Angeles Lakers.
DeRozan, 6-foot-7, 220 pounds, averaged 13.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists in his lone season with the Trojans. He finished second on the team in field goal percentage (.523 – 8th in the Pac-10 Conference). His 485 points ranks third all-time for a USC freshman and his 201 rebounds ranks fourth.
DeRozan earned first-team Pac-10 All Freshman honours and was named Pac-10 Tournament MVP. He had 21 points and career-best 13 rebounds against UCLA in the tournament semifinal and a career-best 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting to lead the Trojans to a win over Arizona State in the tournament final.
As a senior at Compton High School (Compton, California), DeRozan earned first-team Parade All-America honours. He averaged 29.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.0 steals in his senior season leading Compton to consecutive Moore League championships.
