Raptors Rookie Guard DeMar DeRozan For NBA All-Star Dunk-In

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The NBA and Toronto Raptors announced Thursday that Raptors rookie guard DeMar DeRozan will face-off against sophomore guard Eric Gordon of the Los Angeles Clippers in a nationally televised slam dunk competition – the NBA All-Star Dunk-In – to determine one of the participants in the Sprite Slam Dunk contest at All-Star Weekend.

DeRozan was taken by the Raptors with the ninth pick in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft. The product of USC has started all 39 games, averaging 7.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in 20.3 minutes.

This one-round dunk-in competition will be held during halftime of the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam on Friday, February 12, and fans will determine the winner by voting via SMS text message and at NBA.com. Voting polls will open at the beginning of the event and close two minutes after the final dunk. The player with a higher percentage of overall votes will advance to participate in the Sprite Slam Dunk event on All-Star Saturday Night. The NBA is scheduled to announce the other three contestants Monday, January 18.

Each participant will have two dunks each, with an one-minute time limit to complete each dunk, with an NBA referee on hand to judge whether a dunk is considered a made or a missed dunk. At the discretion of the referee, television instant replay may be consulted for clarification of rules compliance.

The NBA All-Star Dunk-In will air live on TSN, which will televise the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam (7 p.m. ET) from American Airlines Center in Dallas.

TSN’s coverage of All-Star Weekend will continue Saturday from American Airlines Center in Dallas with All-Star Saturday Night (8 p.m. ET), including the Sprite Slam Dunk contest, and will conclude Sunday from Cowboys Stadium with the 59th NBA All-Star Game (7 p.m. ET).

The Sprite Slam Dunk and T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam are part of NBA All-Star 2010, which also includes the Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout; Taco Bell Skills Challenge; Haier Shooting Stars; NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas; and the 59th NBA All-Star Game.

DeMar DeRozan Blog: One Rookie, Part 3

demarchron

What’s good everyone? We’re back in T-Dot after a short 3 game road trip. We started off a little rocky in Atlanta, but bounced back to win two in a row. It’s a long season, so we just gotta keep playing hard and playing together.

Here’s part 3 of my Rookie Documentary for Raptors TV called “One Rookie”. In this one you get to see what an NBA Rookie goes through in training camp. Let me know what you think of it. Thanks for the support.

—DeMar

DeMar DeRozan Blog: One Rookie, Part 2

demarchron

What’s good fans? We’re in Phoenix to play the Suns tonight. I wanted to show you guys Part 2 of my Raptors TV “One Rookie” documentary. This one gives you a behind the scenes look at my media day in Toronto the day after I was drafted. Take a look and tell me what you think.

Also make sure to watch us take on the Suns tonight at 8pm EST.

Fans: Be sure to check out DeMar on Twitter.

DeMar DeRozan Blog: One Rookie, Part 1

demarchron

What’s good fans? Here’s Part 1 of a behind the scenes documentary of my rookie season I’m doing for Raptors TV called “One Rookie”. Check it out and tell me what you think.

—DeMar

Fans: Be sure to check out DeMar on Twitter.

Terrence Williams Blog: On the Rebound From Poverty

terrencechron

Wassup up Blog Fam? My rookie season started last night. We came up just a little bit short. We got 81 more games to go, so we’ll get back in the lab and work harder. I know I gotta give more effort for us to get those W’s!

Anyway, I recently sat down for a talk with Harvery Araton of the New York Times. We talked about my childhood and how I was able to get through poverty and make it to the NBA. I think after you read this, you’ll understand why I wear #8. Here’s a little bit of the interview:

Many a young male has surmounted a difficult childhood, as did Mr. Williams, to become a millionaire professional in the National Basketball Association. The transformation from poverty and displacement to wealth and comfort can be jarring, as Mr. Williams discovered when he and his girlfriend, Sara Lambo, moved in last July. Mr. Williams, 22, found it hard to break old habits, and leave behind the memory of his impoverished Seattle childhood, when he lived in a house jammed with relatives after his 20-year-old father was murdered when he was 6.

Read the rest of the article HERE

—T-Will

Fans: Be sure to check out Terrence on Twitter and Facebook.

DeMar DeRozan Blog: Score ‘Beyond the Jersey’ Interview

demarchron

derozan_2D00_minny What’s good fans? Just wrapping up my first pre-season in the NBA. I wanted to share an interview I did with the Holly MacKenzie of thescore.com. We talked about everything, so I think all of y’all will enjoy reading.

HM: DeMar DeRozan, when did you start playing the game of basketball?

DD: I was about six or seven when I started playing ball.

HM: And you were how old when you threw down your first dunk?

DD: I was in the sixth grade when I first dunked. I can’t remember how tall I was, though.

HM: Were you always taller than everyone or did you shoot up in high school and have an awkward phase?

DD: Yeah, when I was in about 7th or 8th grade I shot up to about 6′3″ and then by my senior year I was about 6′6″, 6′7″.

HM: Biggest influence for you basketball wise?

DD: I have to say watching Michael Jordan and everything that he did. That played a big influence on just getting a passion for basketball even more. Growing up, watching how passionate he was about the game.

HM: One of your favourite moments in basketball history?

DD: That’s a tough one. You know, growing up in California, LA was my favourite team, the Lakers. So I have to say that when they won back-to-back, when they had the threepeat, that was one of my best basketball moments.

Read the rest of the interview HERE.

—DeMar

Fans: Be sure to check out DeMar on Twitter.

DeMar DeRozan Blog: Media Session After Our Scrimmage

demarchron

Wassup fans? Yesterday I posted video highlights from our team scrimmage in Ottawa. Here’s some video from Raptors.com of my media session after the scrimmage. Check it out:

—DeMar

Fans: Be sure to check out DeMar on Twitter.

DeMar DeRozan Blog: Scrimmage Highlights

demarchron

Wassup Fans? Yesterday we scrimmaged in front of some fans up in Ottawa. Lots of fun. Here are some highlights from the game:

—DeMar

Fans: Be sure to check out DeMar on Twitter.

DeMar DeRozan Blog: My New Ballislife Mixtape

demarchron

Hey Fans. Check my new Mixtape out. Best Mixtape of the year??? Thanks Ballislife!

—DeMar

Fans: Be sure to check out DeMar on Twitter.

DeMar DeRozan Blog: Raptors Media Day/Start of Training Camp

demarchron

32774312What’s good fans? Yesterday I took part in my first media day, and today is the start of my first training camp.

Media day yesterday was exciting. Besides all the traditional photo and interviews, I also got to participate in the live chat with fans on Raptors.com. If you missed it, you can replay the chat HERE. Exciting time for all of us.

Alright, I will get at y’all on here and on my twitter after camp.

—DeMar

Fans: Be sure to check out DeMar on Twitter.