Related: Media Day Chat Replay | Ulmer From Media Day | Preseason Media GuideMedia Day Portraits | Raptors To Hold Camp In Vancouver | Raptors Offseason Blog Discuss It On: Twitter | Facebook | Raptorspace The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday they have exercised the third year team option on the Rookie Scale Contract of guard-forward DeMar DeRozan. DeRozan is now guaranteed through the 2011-12 season. In accordance with the league’s collective bargaining agreement, the Raptors had until October 31 to exercise their option on DeRozan. Per team policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
DeRozan, 6-foot-7, 220 pounds, was the ninth overall pick by Toronto in the 2009 NBA Draft out of the University of Southern California. He averaged 8.6 points and 2.9 rebounds in 77 appearances in the 2009-10 season. DeRozan became the fourth rookie to start on opening night for the Raptors, joining Damon Stoudamire (1995), Vince Carter (1998) and Joey Graham (2005). He finished third in franchise history with 65 starts during a rookie campaign.
DeRozan set career highs in points (24), field goals (9), rebounds (14) and minutes (38) during the season finale April 14 versus New York. He won the inaugural NBA All-Star Dunk-In by defeating Los Angeles Clippers guard Eric Gordon during halftime of the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam at All-Star Weekend in Dallas.
DeRozan helped lead the Raptors to a 5-0 mark at the 2010 Las Vegas Summer League. He averaged 21.0 points, third in the League, and 4.5 rebounds en route to All-Tournament Team honours.