DeMar DeRozan recalls the positive impact Jose Calderon had on his career

DeMar remembers what Jose Calderon did for him early in his career.

© Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

When the Toronto Raptors drafted DeMar DeRozan in 2009, Jose Calderon was one of the team's leaders. The two quickly became friends on and off the court, and DeRozan credits Calderon with helping him develop into one of the top players in the NBA.

"He's probably one of my all-time favorite teammates who embraced me as a young guy. He was the most positive player I ever played with," DeRozan said.

Veteran mentor

When DeRozan came into the league, he was a 20-year-old player with raw talent. In his fifth season with the Raptors, Calderon took the young guard under his wing and served as a mentor both on and off the court. The league can be harsh on any youngster, but DeRozan says Calderon was always there to show him the ropes and encourage him.

"I used to always admire the way José played because he wasn't the fastest. He didn't jump the highest. But he knew how to play the right way. He's probably one of the highest IQ players that I played with. Especially coming into the league, his poise, and how efficient he was in the screen-and-roll taught me a lot. The way he dictated action and manipulated the game with such ease, it was great," shared DeRozan.

"He also gave me the ultimate confidence to be the scorer. The way he passed the ball, he'd always throw lobs to me. He made the game extremely easy for me," DeRozan added.

Calderon is not surprised by DeRozan's success

Calderon now works as a special advisor in the Cleveland Cavaliers front office. He recently watched the Bulls' game against Brooklyn earlier this month and chatted with Bulls' general manager, Marc Eversley. What the Spaniard heard from Eversley was nothing but praise for his former teammate.

"Marc was telling me he is still getting back to the gym three or four times a week to get shots. It wasn't just his work ethic in Toronto. He was always willing to listen. We made a good friendship there. He was always asking questions. You could see that pay off in the sense that every day he was getting better. And it sounds like he's still trying to evolve and improve," Calderon said.