DeMar DeRozan Reveals One of His All-Time Favorite Teammates

Since entering the NBA in 2009, DeMar DeRozan has played alongside numerous notable stars across various teams. Throughout his 15-year career, he has shared the court with players like Kyle Lowry, LaMarcus Aldridge, Pascal Siakam, and Zach LaVine. However, he recently surprised many by naming Alex Caruso as one of his all-time favorite teammates.

In a recent episode of Paul George’s podcast, DeRozan reflected on his time with the Chicago Bulls and expressed his appreciation for his teammates during his three-year stint with the team. He specifically highlighted Caruso, stating, “He’s probably my top three favorite teammates of all time.”

“I truly appreciated my time in Chicago and all my teammates—Coby White, Pat Williams, Vooch, Zach, Lonzo, and everyone else. It was a special time. I formed a unique bond with most of those guys. My dog AC—that’s my favorite. My bad, AC, for not mentioning you sooner. Caruso… I have to say it—he’s probably in my top three favorite teammates of all time. I love that dude. He knows how I greet him every time. That’s my dog,” DeRozan said.

DeRozan and Caruso played together on the Bulls from 2021 to 2024, but both will don new jerseys next season. DeRozan has joined the Sacramento Kings, while the Bulls traded Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Josh Giddey.

Mutual Respect Between DeRozan and Caruso

Caruso appears to share DeRozan’s sentiments. Earlier this year, he expressed gratitude for having DeRozan on the Bulls, emphasizing his competitive nature. “I’m really thankful he’s on our team. He’s a competitor who goes out every night to help us win,” Caruso noted.

He also highlighted DeRozan’s unique skills, particularly his ability to make crucial plays late in games, calling him “a winner at heart.” Caruso explained, “Making the right plays in critical moments is sometimes more than just hitting a shot. It’s about grabbing big rebounds, boxing out, and finding Vooch for an easy layup to keep us ahead. He truly is a winner at heart.”

Final Thoughts

Having played alongside many players and reached deep playoff runs in his career, it might seem surprising that DeRozan listed Caruso as a favorite teammate, especially considering they only made the playoffs once together. Nonetheless, his comments suggest that Caruso is an excellent locker room presence and a tenacious player who knows how to contribute to competitive teams. As they prepare to face off on different teams next season, their matchups are sure to be exciting to watch.

Source: https://lastwordonsports.com/basketball/2024/09/10/demar-derozan-names-one-of-his-favorite-nba-teammates-alex-caruso-chicago-bulls/