Philadelphia 76ers: Top 5 draft selections in Bryan Colangelo’s career

3. DeMar DeRozan (SG) — No. 9 pick in 2009 NBA Draft

Having bombed out with his initial high-end lottery pick with the Raptors (Andrea Bargnani, No. 1 pick in 2006), Colangelo was certainly determined to right the ship. His selection of DeRozan was certainly an inspired choice, with a high-end draft class featuring the likes of Blake Griffin, James Harden and Stephen Curry.

Here’s what ESPN analyst Jay Bilas had to say about the selection:

"“He’s a great finisher. He’s an outstanding athlete that can play in the open floor. He can get to the basket. He’s not a very good shooter — yet — but I think he can become a good shooter in time. He’s just a young kid. He has played only one year of college basketball. In the second half of the year, DeMar DeRozan got better and better. He shot just about 60 percent from the field. “His feel for the game started to improve….He needs to improve his shooting consistency, there’s no doubt about that….You’re going to have to wait on him a little while. But remember: Bryan Colangelo years ago at the No. 9 spot was the guy who spotted Amare Stoudemire. No. 9 has been good to Bryan Colangelo.”"

Bilas was spot-on with his analysis.

After an initial adjustment period when entering the league, DeRozan has gradually established himself as one of the most explosive scorers in the game. Teamed with fellow backcourt partner Kyle Lowry, DeRozan has helped lead the Raptors to the postseason the past four seasons, including one trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2016.

DeRozan was first named an All-Star in 2014, when he averaged 22.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. He has since earned All-Star honors another two times, including this season where he averaged a career-high 27.3 points per game (fifth in the league).

At the time of selecting DeRozan, Colangelo was highly optimistic in terms of his potential:

"“This is DeMar DeRozan and he’s going to establish himself as a player that is different than Vince (Carter). He’s going to establish himself as DeMar the basketball player. Those comparisons are fun to make and easy to make because of the athletic attributes, but let’s see what DeMar can become as far as the best basketball player possible. He’s got the right attitude and mentality. He’s got a chance to be special, but let’s do it on his own time.”"

In hindsight, these proclamations have proven to be spot-on as well.

In return, DeRozan has been equally effusive for Colangelo:

"“Oh, man he’s one of the most stand-up guys I’ve known, ever met coming into the business,’’ said DeRozan of the man who drafted him. “He gave me the opportunity of a lifetime, you know? And I credit a lot of my success to him. [He’s] one of those stand-up honest guys. [He’ll] work extremely hard, and wants the best for whatever organization and players that he’s working for.”"

Following a summer of winning an Olympic gold medal as a member of Team USA, DeRozan kicked off the season by demonstrating what he is truly capable of producing. In his opening 12 games, DeRozan averaged the following phenomenal numbers:

Granted, DeRozan came back down to earth to a degree following the streak. But this incredible streak demonstrated the ultimate potential that DeRozan possesses. It also demonstrates Colangelo’s ability to procure elite talent.