CHICAGO (670 The Score) – Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan has earned All-Star honors for the sixth time in his career.
DeRozan was chosen as an All-Star reserve by coaches, as NBA on TNT announced Thursday evening. The All-Star Game will be held Feb. 19 in Salt Lake City, and DeRozan will either compete for Lakers star LeBron James’ team or Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo’s squad. James and Antetokounmpo are the two captains and will draft their teams in a live event shortly before the All-Star Game begins.
“It’s beyond exciting,” DeRozan said shortly after learning of the honor. “To still be playing, all the things I’ve accomplished in my career, I couldn’t even lie to you – there’s a lot of stuff I still don’t believe I’ve accomplished being from Compton, California, being through all the stuff I’ve been through personally, career-wise. Just to still be honored as an All-Star, it’s definitely an honor.”
DeRozan, 33, was averaging 26.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.0 steals in 36.2 minutes across 47 games entering play Thursday. He was shooting 51.1% from the field, the second-highest mark of his 14-year career.
This marks the second time in DeRozan’s two seasons with Chicago that he has earned All-Star honors. He hadn’t made it the prior three seasons before joining the Bulls.
“It’s everything,” DeRozan said. “I just hope anybody out there, whatever field you work in, never listen to the outside noise, the people doubting you, counting you out, everything. As long as you’re true to yourself, you believe in yourself, you keep putting in the work with a genuine heart and a genuine passion, you’ll be rewarded.”
Bulls coach Billy Donovan praised DeRozan earlier in the week ahead of his accomplishment.
“He’s had a great year,” Donovan said Tuesday. “He’s been really, really consistent. I think this year has been unique for a lot of players in terms of injuries. His availability has been pretty impressive for as many years as he’s been in the league. He’s just been incredibly efficient and has played really, really well. I think he’s really played at the same level he did last year in a lot of ways.”
Cody Westerlund is a sports editor for 670TheScore.com and covers the Bulls. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.
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