DeMar DeRozan Reaches 25,000 Career Points, 27th Player in NBA History to Accomplish Feat

The Sacramento Kings’ DeMar DeRozan scored 22 points on 9-for-22 shooting in his team’s 128-116 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Thursday. Despite the off shooting night and the loss, DeRozan in the process of scoring his 22 eclipsed 25,000 career points. In doing so, he became the 27th player in NBA history to reach the milestone. 

A 6-time all-star and 3-time All-NBA with career averages of 21.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists (1174 games), DeRozan this season is averaging 22.2 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.9 rebounds on 49% shooting. A high-percentage shooter for most of his career (he has only had four seasons shooting less than 45% from the field) DeRozan is and has been one of the best midrange shooters in the game, while having developed a penchant for clutch shots. He made four all-star teams in Toronto, leading the Raptors along with Kyle Lowry to an Eastern Conference Finals appearance (2016) and two Eastern Conference Semifinal appearances in 2017 and 2018. 

In three seasons in San Antonio after being dealt to the Spurs for Kawhi Leonard, DeRozan averaged 21.2, 22.1, and 21.6 points before averaging a career-best 27.9 points (50% shooting, All-NBA 2nd Team) in 2021-2022 with the Chicago Bulls and making his fifth all-star appearance. He averaged 24.5 points on 2022-2023, making the all-star team yet again. 

The ninth overall draft choice in the 2009 NBA Draft, DeRozan now joins a long list of legends in the 25,000 points club. Jerry West, currently 25th on the list, finished his career with 25,192 points and averaged 27.0 for a career. Stephen Curry, whose father Dell played for the Raptors, is a shade over 100 points ahead of DeRozan on the list, while Vince Carter, who played with the elder Curry and like DeRozan is a former Raptor, totaled 25,728 career points. Carter is currently the last player on the list below 26,000 points, 21st on the list behind Russell Westbrook who recently surpassed 26,000. 

Congratulations on 25K, DeMar DeRozan.