The Toronto Raptors had whittled their list of preferences for the ninth spot in the NBA draft to three by the time the picking started last night. In the end, the Raptors chose Vince Carter, or at least the player who reminds them of the former Toronto star turned public enemy No. 1 at the Air Canada Centre. DeMar DeRozan is a 6-foot-7 shooting guard from the University of Southern California who can fly like a certain famous former Raptor . Just ask him.
"I think the comparison is valid, especially with my athleticism," DeRozan said after being tabbed by Raptors president Bryan Colangelo. Just to make sure he wasn't shying away from the mantle of Canada's newest frequent flier, DeRozan's postdraft tweet was: "Toronto here I come Air Canadas [sic] back." Colangelo said DeRozan was the team's first choice ever since he saw him work out in Oakland. He and head coach Jay Triano were blown away.
"He's got the physical tools reminiscent of the player everyone likes to say they remind him of and that's Vince Carter," Colangelo said. "He's got that kind of raw physical talent."
While as many as five and as few as three players were among those Toronto was considering as the draft got closer, one name never slipped.
"It was very close in the room," Raptors head coach Jay Triano said. "We had a lot of arguments [about whom to pick], but every night when we left, Demar DeRozan was still at the top of our list."
DeRozan has a 39-inch vertical jump. He averaged 13.9 points and 5.7 rebounds a game on 52.3-per-cent shooting last season. His weaknesses are a lack of experience, having played just one college season, and range on his jumper as indicated by the 16.7 per cent he shot from the three-point line.
