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Toronto Raptors: Top 5 Draft Picks Since 1995

By Joshua Howe

Oct 18, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers power forward Antawn Jamison (33) and Portland Trail Blazers center Meyers Leonard (11) go for a rebound in the second half of the game at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers power forward Antawn Jamison (33) and Portland Trail Blazers center Meyers Leonard (11) go for a rebound in the second half of the game at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 30, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Greivis Vasquez (21) congratulates guard DeMar DeRozan (10) after a play against the Houston Rockets at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Houston 99-96. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Greivis Vasquez (21) congratulates guard DeMar DeRozan (10) after a play against the Houston Rockets at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Houston 99-96. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

4. DeMar DeRozan

Taken Ninth Overall in 2009

I remember when the Raptors selected DeRozan in the 2009 NBA draft. My initial thought was, “Cool, they finally selected a guard who’s athletic enough to help us out on the wing!”

I didn’t expect DeRozan, as the ninth pick, to become a franchise-altering player like Bosh was. And for the first few seasons, he was just as I expected: an athletic player who could score at will by attacking the basket and drawing fouls.

But as the seasons wore on he started to become more than that. It became apparent that the young guard’s work ethic was something else.

When he came into the league, he simply couldn’t shoot. Defenders would lag off of him and even forget about him at times because every jump shot he’d take would clank off the back of the rim.

His handle was also a weak point. He was fine once he took off and his first step was explosive, but dribbling down the length of the floor brought him trouble. And when he got into trouble, his passing didn’t help him out much.

Now?

DeRozan’s dribbling and passing are much improved. This season, the ball was in his hands more than it’s ever been (28.4 usage percentage) and he averaged 2.3 turnovers a game, not too bad for someone who used to never have confidence dribbling the ball up the floor.

His assist numbers have steadily risen as well, up to 3.5 per game this past year (his best was 4.0 in 2013-14) and even his rebounding was at its best last season with 4.6 boards a night.

DeRozan was an All-Star in 2013-14, proving to the world just how far he’s come from what he was thought to be in the draft. The most inspiring part comes from the fact that he’s done it all with gritty determination and a furious work regimen. He’s not the most talented player out there, but akin to guys like Steve Nash before him, he’s the epitome of the gym rat.

His rise in Toronto is something special. He’s stated many times that he wants to remain a Raptor forever and win as one. He’s given the franchise six seasons so far and it has been a pleasure to watch him grow.

Next: Number 3

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