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DeMar DeRozan relishes being in Paris for the "experience of a lifetime"

Deebo has gone places, but there's nothing quite like Paris
Stephen Beslic|
DeMar DeRozan relishes being in Paris for the "experience of a lifetime"
DeMar DeRozan relishes being in Paris for the "experience of a lifetime"

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Chicago BullsDetroit PistonsToronto Raptors

Growing up in Compton, California, Chicago Bulls wingman DeMar DeRozan saw and experienced things far different from what "The City of Lights" has to offer. This makes his trip to Paris, where he and the Bulls will take on the Detroit Pistons, even more special.

“It just shows you how far playing basketball can take you,” DeRozan said.

Basketball can take you places

A five-time All-Star and one of the most respected players in the Association, DeRozan has gone from Compton to places he never dreamed he'd reach. Whether it's Toronto—a place he called home for the first nine years of his NBA career—to Paris, France, the 33-year-old knows how far the game has taken him.

Now in Paris with the Pistons game just a few days away, the wingman is not taking anything for granted, especially playing in front of a crowd that has not welcomed the Bulls since Michael Jordan led them in the McDonald's Championship in Paris in 1997.

“It’s so many angles of positivity that I look at coming here,” DeRozan said. “To be able to compete and do something in front of a fan base you don’t normally get the chance to do something in front of, I don’t take the opportunity for granted one bit. It’s an experience that lasts a lifetime.”

Timely return

Although the Bulls have not made it official yet, DeRozan appears to be on track to return to the floor on Thursday. DeRozan has missed the last three games due to a strained right quad, which he suffered in the game against the Boston Celtics.

At 20-24, DeRozan's presence in the lineup will be welcomed by the Bulls as they look to make a late-season push. The Bulls snagged a win against the Golden State Warriors in their last game to put their record without DeRozan at 1-2. Without a doubt, DeRozan, who averages 26.1 points, 5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game this season, will help the Bulls on their quest to make it back to the playoffs.

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Stephen Beslic
STEPHEN BESLIC

Stephen Beslic is a writer on Sports Illustrated's FanNation Network. Stephen played basketball from the age of 10 and graduated from Faculty of Economic and Business in Zagreb, Croatia, majoring in Marketing.

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