DeMar DeRozan鈥檚 first experience as a child at a basketball camp was much different from what was going on this week at the 91原创 Events Centre.
DeRozan, who grew up in Compton, Calif., remembers the camp having about 80 or so participants. And there was definitely no NBA star headlining the camp.
The Toronto Raptors star guard was talking to the media on Wednesday morning, stepping away from the jammed-pack basketball courts at the LEC, site of the DeMar Derozan Basketball Camp.
Three hundred and fifty campers, boys and girls ages six to 16, signed up for the four-day camp, which wraps up Friday (Aug. 11).
Raptors head coach Dwane Casey, as well as local high school coaches, university and high school players were among the coaches assisting DeRozan.
Day 2 of camp, coach Dwane Casey addressing the campers
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Each camper also got to meet the Raptors guard and get their photo taken with him.
Some highlights from Day 2 of the Camp.
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鈥�(The turnout) has been great, more than I could have imagined, especially considering it is my first camp here,鈥� he said.
鈥淚t is great to see these kids 鈥� still in Canada, but on the other side of Canada 鈥� going out there and having a lot of fun.鈥�
DeRozan is coming off the best year of his seven-year career, averaging 27.3 points 鈥� which was fifth in the NBA 鈥� 4.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists. He also became Toronto鈥檚 all-time leading scorer.
DeRozan said seeing the support the team receives nation-wide reinforces the Raptors鈥� slogan 鈥榃e the North.鈥�
鈥淚t has always been exciting for me just to see different parts of Canada, just to experience the love that we get,鈥� he said.
Last year, the team played an exhibition game at Rogers Arena, to a sold-out crowd.
鈥淚t was like a playoff game, just the intensity for a pre-season game, how loud the crowd was; it was crazy,鈥� DeRozan said.
鈥淵ou see why this city had an NBA team and should have an NBA team.
鈥淭o have a country behind us is great (and) today is a reason why it makes it so beautiful.鈥�
DeRozan and his Raptors teammates will be back in B.C. next month as
