DeMar DeRozan grateful to be mentored by Corey Maggette

"Being with a veteran guy that early in my career showed me what it was like to be a pro."

The NBA can be rough on players who enter the league at a young age. DeMar DeRozan entered the league when he was only 20 years old after a lone season playing for the USC Trojans. Fortunately for the Compton native, he already had sufficient knowledge on how to make it in the pros, thanks to the guidance of Corey Maggette.

Veteran mentor

According to DeRozan, their mentorship began when Maggette played for the Los Angeles Clippers in the early 2000s, forming an exciting trio with Darius Miles and Elton Brand. 

Back then, Deebo was still a high school phenom from Compton. The two met once again when Maggette called the game between the Bulls and the Nuggets last Thursday, temporarily replacing Stacey King.

“Corey was a vet mentor to me. A lot of people don't know that. I spent a lot of time with him, man. I was 18, 19, 20 years old in the gym with him, working out every summer, him giving me a lot of drills and more so just pushing me. Being with a veteran guy that early in my career showed me what it was like to be a pro,” DeRozan shared.

“He's always been such a positive figure for me. He got me to understand a lot, not just with basketball but about life.”

Tricks of the trade

Working out with Maggette at such a young age allowed DeRozan to gain valuable insight into the pro game. Maggette taught him tricks that he has since used throughout his career, the most important of which is drawing fouls. 

Throughout his 14-year career, the former Duke standout averaged 6.8 free throws per game, including a career-high 10 in 2005. DeRozan, so far, is averaging 6.5 freebies a night.

“He taught me a lot that stuck with me---how to get fouled, how to take advantage of the penalty, using your body," DeRozan said. "I learned a lot from Corey, for sure. We used to do these shooting drills in the midrange, competing always.”