TORONTO - The Toronto Raptors set their sights on the future, selecting Southern California swingman DeMar DeRozan with the No. 9 pick in the 2009 NBA draft Thursday.
The six-foot-seven, 211-pound DeRozan is considered one of the players with the most potential in this year's draft, known for his eye-popping athleticism.
But at 19 years old and with just one season at USC under his belt, it remains to be seen how soon DeRozan can make a serious contribution.
DeRozan showed marked improvement over the course of his first and only season at USC, leading the Trojans to the Pac-10 title and earning MVP honours for the tournament. DeRozan, known as a huge leaper and explosive finisher, averaged 13.9 points and 5.7 rebounds a night.
The native of Compton, Calif., has said entering the draft was a difficult decision, but he opted to leave USC after one season to help support his mom who is struggling with Lupus.
Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin went No. 1 overall to the Los Angeles Clippers. Connecticut centre Hasheem Thabeet went second to the Memphis Grizzlies, while Oklahoma City selected Arizona State guard James Harden third.
Rounding out the top five, Memphis guard Tyreke Evans went fourth to Sacramento, followed by Spanish guard Ricky Rubio to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo said earlier in the week he had whittled his short list down to five players, and only one of them -- Syracuse guard Jonny Flynn (No. 6 to Minnesota) had been taken when the Raptors were on the clock. The Raptors had also considered Wake Forest forward James Johnson, UCLA guard Jrue Holiday and Duke swingman Gerald Henderson.
No. 9 is the highest pick Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo has had in Toronto since he took Italian centre Andrea Bargnani at No. 1 in 2006. Last year, the Raptors selected Roy Hibbert at No. 17, but traded his rights to Indiana in the deal that sent T.J. Ford and Rasho Nesterovic to the Pacers for Jermaine O'Neal.
