DeMar DeRozan talks about his longevity in the league

"I don't look at it like I feel old. It's more so it's a blessing to still be playing"

© Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

DeMar DeRozan has been around the block quite a few times already. Now 34 years old and entering his 15th season in the NBA, the Compton native remains appreciative of the opportunity he has to showcase his skills.

“I don’t look at it like I feel old. It’s more so it’s a blessing to still be playing,” DeRozan said.

Amazing longevity

DeRozan has already played in a whopping 1031 regular season games and 63 NBA Playoff matches. With the increasing quick turnarounds of NBA careers these days, it’s amazing to see DeRozan still competing at a very high level.

He is entering his third season with the Bulls and hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down yet, averaging 24.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists last year while shooting 50 percent from the field in 74 games.

“It’s amazing, man, just to think about the longevity, to be able to play this game so long. To still be going, to still love the game, to still have motivation, the passion, everything about it,” DeRozan said on Tuesday before the Bulls open their season with a game versus the up-and-coming Oklahoma City Thunder.

Tough. pic.twitter.com/SniOoqBPqG

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 20, 2023

Still remembers his first game

Though he’s clearly an OG now, DeRozan still remembers the time when he was still a rookie playing his first NBA game. After spending a season at USC, DeRozan was thrust onto the floor against a Cleveland Cavaliers squad that had Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James.

“I was terrified as (expletive). I’m not going to lie to you,” DeRozan said. “I’ll never forget: I was walking out there and it felt really like a dream. And I remember walking on that court like I couldn’t believe I was playing against Shaq.”

“Me being from LA, I watched Shaq my whole life. So to able to step on the same floor as Shaq made it feel so surreal, made it feel like a dream come true. And I think I even got a block that game. I blocked his shot. I just remember being terrified that I couldn’t believe I was in that moment.”