DeMar DeRozan's father has been in a hospital due to several health issues over the last couple of months. On Wednesday afternoon, however, Raptors head coach Dwane Casey shared news that DeRozan's father sent a video to the entire Toronto Raptors team, hoping to share a message of hope.
Per Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun:
Dwane Casey says DeMar DeRozan's ailing father sent a video message to the team from his hospital bed letting them know he's pulling for them. Really inspired them.
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) April 18, 2018
Earlier this year, DeRozan opened up on some facts about his father, Frank DeRozan. He said that his father has been battling “multiple” health issues, which includes a kidney ailment.
Per Dave Feschuk of The Star, DeRozan shared his father's role in his upbringing, particularly how he introduced him to the game of basketball:
“My dad was everything, from every angle: supporting, pushing, teaching, providing, everything,” DeRozan said. “My dad put the basketball in my hands. My dad took me to the park. My dad pushed me. My dad was my dad. My dad was the reason I wanted to play sports, just like every other kid that looked up to their dad. That’s what he was to me to this day, and what he is to me forever.”
Despite these personal challenges, DeRozan said that such problems are not new to him. He grew up in the tough neighborhood of Compton, California where every single day was a challenge:
“I grew up in Compton, California, man. Every day was a challenge for me. That’s all I’ve known my whole life. It’s not a surprise for me. It’s not something that’s going to hold me down,” he said.
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