DeMar DeRozan
A master of the mid-range game whose scoring artistry and candid discussion of mental health reshaped the conversation around NBA stardom.
Born 1989 (age 37)·American basketball player·Birthday: August 7·Millennials
Biography
DeMar DeRozan carved a legacy as a basketball purist in an era obsessed with the three-point shot. Growing up in Compton, he modeled his game after Kobe Bryant's footwork and dedication, developing an unstoppable array of pull-up jumpers and post moves. Drafted by Toronto, he methodically improved each season, becoming a four-time All-Star and the franchise's cornerstone, leading them to new heights of respectability. His trade to San Antonio was a shock, but it catalyzed a career renaissance; in Chicago, he defied analytics with clutch scoring and vintage performances, earning All-NBA honors again. Beyond the stats, DeRozan's impact was profound when he openly discussed his depression, breaking a major stigma in professional sports and empowering others to speak out, solidifying his standing as a role model.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
DeMar was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When DeMar Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
DeMar's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became the Toronto Raptors' all-time leading scorer, a record he held until surpassed by Kyle Lowry.
- Earned three All-NBA Team selections (Second Team in 2018, 2022; Third Team in 2017).
- Won an Olympic gold medal with Team USA at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
- Scored a career-high 52 points for the Chicago Bulls in a 2022 game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Did You Know?
He has a large tattoo of a dinosaur on his leg, a nod to the Toronto Raptors' logo.
DeRozan is an avid fan of vintage lowrider cars and has a notable collection.
He and his daughter are featured in the NBA 2K22 video game cover art for the current-generation version.
He played his college basketball at the University of Southern California (USC) for one season.
“This depression get the best of me... It's one of them things that no matter how indestructible we look like we are, we're all human at the end of the day.”
