Ex-Raptor DeMar DeRozan shares heartfelt words about what Toronto means to him

Kyle Lowry's retirement celebration kicked off Friday afternoon in Toronto, with the former Raptor partaking in one of his favourite pastimes — golf — alongside several teammates.

His best friend and Toronto Raptors legend DeMar DeRozan even pulled up, despite not being much of a golfer.

Before the 37-year-old six-time NBA All-Star teed off, he shared some heartfelt words about the city he once called home.

DeRozan was asked by reporters if he still feels the love from fans whenever he plays in Toronto, and his answer was one many Raptors fans will appreciate.

"Toronto will always be home for me," DeRozan said.

"I spent nine years of my career here and it was the foundation of me as a basketball player, and as a human being. It was my first home, and first everything — nothing will replace that."

DeMar DeRozan on if he still senses love from the fans whenever he plays in Toronto:

“Yeah. This’ll always be home for me. 9 years of my career. This was the foundation of me as a basketball player, as a human being. This was my first home. This was the first everything for me.… pic.twitter.com/1ja41lYUSn

— Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) September 18, 2026

Toronto drafted DeRozan ninth overall out of the University of Southern California in the 2009 NBA Draft, which began a nine-year career with the Raptors.

To this day, DeRozan remains the all-time Raptors franchise leader in games played (675) and points (13,296).

The Raptors traded the Compton, Calif., native in a blockbuster deal with the San Antonio Spurs following the 2017-18 season, sending DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a draft pick to San Antonio in exchange for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green.

In hindsight, the move was one that helped lead the Raptors to their first NBA championship the following season.

Since being traded to the Spurs, DeRozan has played for two other franchises, the Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings, before recently signing a one-year veteran-minimum deal with the Denver Nuggets last month.

One thing the 37-year-old said he's still grateful for, though, is the memories and friendships he made during his time in Toronto.

"The relationships and everything I created with all these guys that I had the opportunity to play with. For me, that's always going to be number one," DeRozan said.

The man of the hour, Lowry, was also asked if DeRozan's No. 10 jersey should join his in the Scotiabank Arena rafters one day.

Lowry didn't even have to think about his answer.

"It should definitely be up there, without a doubt," he said.

Kyle Lowry wants to see the Raptors retire DeMar DeRozan’s jersey next. 👀 pic.twitter.com/iHJka6ZSvJ

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) September 18, 2026

Lowry's jersey will go up into the rafters on Jan. 10 when the Raptors host his hometown team, the Philadelphia 76ers. DeRozan, who has a game in Cleveland against the Cavaliers the night before, said he plans to be in attendance.

"I was honoured enough to have a game and to see Vince [Carter's] jersey go up, and I'll most definitely be here when Kyle's jersey goes up," DeRozan said.

The KLow Invitational at TPC Osprey Valley in Toronto is one of three events that are part of the Raptors' celebration of Lowry.

Lowry will celebrate with Raptors fans in Jurassic Park on Saturday afternoon at Kyle's Block Party before walking the red carpet at the Night For 7 Gala.