Remembering DeMar DeRozan's massive dunk over the Denver Nuggets 10 years ago

Deebo got way up for this play.

© Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Many basketball fans see Chicago Bulls wingman DeMar DeRozan as the midrange maestro who carves up defenses with his silky smooth mid-range game. But a decade ago, when DeRozan was still a youngster with the Toronto Raptors, he was more known for his incredible leaping ability and thunderous slam dunks. If you still aren't convinced, former Denver Nuggets big man Timofey Mozgov could certainly change your opinion.

Slowly coming into his own

DeRozan was still in his fourth season with the Toronto Raptors, who picked him ninth overall in the 2009 NBA Draft. He was making huge strides in his game and was averaging 18.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game during that season. And while he was slowly fine-tuning his game, he never lost sight of what got him a seat in the Association in the first place—his mad hops.

10 years ago today... DeMar DeRozan got UP.#NBAVault pic.twitter.com/IwoXgBjOtx

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) February 12, 2023

Rudy Gay, then a teammate of DeRozan, called the slam dunk "one of the craziest dunks I've ever seen." He also added that "the sky's the limit for him," saying the Compton native was an incredible talent.

A decade later

A decade later, Gay's words became almost like a prophecy. DeRozan will soon be making his sixth All-Star appearance in Salt Lake City, Utah, this weekend and has established a reputation for being one of the most clutch players in the entire NBA.

Every now and then, though, DeRozan still reminds us of the incredible athleticism that put him on the map 10 years ago. While Deebo's game has certainly evolved over the past decade, we'll always have that memory of the thunderous dunk he threw down over Timofey Mozgov to remind us of how nasty he can be at the rim.