Raptors’ DeRozan earns conference player of the week honours for first time
Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan has earned NBA Eastern Conference player of the week honours for the first time in his seven-year career.
DeRozan led the Raptors in scoring in three of their four victories last week, averaging 24.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists a game.
He also shot 51.7 per cent from the field and 91.9 from the free-throw line. DeRozan scored a game-high 28 points Wednesday night in a 97-94 win over San Antonio. He followed it up with 27 points on Friday versus Milwaukee and 25 points on Sunday against Philadelphia to match his career high of three straight games with 25 or more points.
DeRozan is the seventh Raptor to win the award after Vince Carter and Chris Bosh, who won it seven times apiece, Kyle Lowry (twice), Jalen Rose, Mike James and Lou Williams.
DeRozan was selected ninth overall by Toronto in the 2009 NBA draft and has been the team’s leading scorer for four consecutive seasons.
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant won the Western Conference weekly award.
The Canadian Press
