Former Toronto Raptors star DeMar DeRozan has broken his silence after Canadian rapper Drake appeared to take shots at his legacy in Toronto. The Sacramento Kings veteran, who spent nine seasons with the Raptors and remains one of the most beloved players in franchise history, made it clear he isn’t losing sleep over the criticism.
Speaking to reporters this week, DeRozan dismissed the controversy with a blunt and confident statement.
“I don’t care,” DeRozan said when asked about Drake’s comments. “What I did there, I put my life on the line every single moment I stepped on the court. Nothing or nobody could ever take that away. I don’t get caught up in shenanigans or all the bull crap that comes with it. At the end of the day, I hoop. I go out there. Every true fan and every person that knows me there knows I represented that place more than anybody that ever came through there.”
DeRozan’s résumé with the Raptors speaks for itself. Drafted ninth overall in 2009, he became the face of the franchise throughout the 2010s, earning four All-Star selections and leading Toronto to multiple playoff appearances. His trade to San Antonio in 2018, in the deal that brought Kawhi Leonard to Toronto, was one of the most emotional moments in Raptors history.
Though Leonard ultimately delivered the franchise its first championship in 2019, many fans still credit DeRozan for laying the foundation that made that title possible.
Drake, the Raptors’ global ambassador and one of the most visible celebrity fans in sports, has occasionally used his platform to critique or joke about players. His recent comments questioning DeRozan’s impact sparked debate among fans, with some siding with the rapper and others defending the veteran guard’s contributions.
DeRozan, however, made it clear he won’t let outside noise affect how he views his time in Toronto.
