The National Basketball Association announced Monday guard DeMar DeRozan has been named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played December 7-13. DeRozan earns the honours for the first time in his seven-year career and becomes the seventh player in team history to be named Player of the Week - Vince Carter (7X), Chris Bosh (7X), Kyle Lowry (2X), Jalen Rose, Mike James and Lou Williams.
DeRozan was the leading scorer in three of Toronto’s four victories last week, posting averages of 24.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists. He also shot .517 (31-for-60) from the field and .919 (34-for-37) at the free throw line. DeRozan scored a game-high 28 points Dec. 9 in a 97-94 win versus San Antonio, which entered the game ranked first in the NBA for fewest points allowed.
He followed with 27 points Dec. 11 vs. Milwaukee and 25 points Dec. 13 vs. Philadelphia to match his career high of three straight games with 25 or more points.
DeRozan was selected ninth overall by Toronto in the 2009 NBA Draft and has been the team’s leading scorer for four consecutive seasons. He is averaging a team-best 21.8 points (tied for 11th in the NBA) and has reached 20+ points in 16 games this season, which ranks second among Eastern Conference players. DeRozan also ranks second in the NBA with 178 free throws made.
Toronto begins a three-game road trip tonight against the Indiana Pacers at 7 p.m. (Sportsnet ONE/TSN Radio 1050).