Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan details bond with local product Corey Maggette

Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan details bond with local product Corey Maggette originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

During the broadcast of the Chicago Bulls-Denver Nuggets preseason game on NBC Sports Chicago, Corey Maggette, a local product from Fenwick High School, sat in as an analyst, filling in for Stacey King who is recovering from hip surgery.

Maggette’s ties to the Bulls go way back. Not only did he share the story of attending his first Bulls game as a child during the broadcast, but he also revealed details of his friendship with All-Star DeMar DeRozan. This connection originated when Maggette played for the Los Angeles Clippers from 2000-08, and DeRozan, a Compton native, was attending USC during the 2008-09 season.

When questioned about seeing Maggette on the court-side alongside Jason Benetti, DeRozan couldn’t help but express his amazement, saying, “It was amazing. Corey was a veteran mentor to me. Many people don’t know that. I spent a lot of time with him when I was 18, 19, 20 years old. We would work out together every summer, and he provided me with numerous drills and constantly pushed me. Being around a seasoned player at such an early stage in my career taught me what it truly meant to be a professional.”

“He has always been a positive influence in my life. He helped me understand not only basketball lessons but also valuable life lessons. He even got me interested in cars at a young age,” DeRozan added.

On the broadcast, Maggette even shared a funny anecdote about selling DeRozan a sports car at a discounted price. DeRozan jokingly reminisces, “I remember driving two hours to get it and two hours back home.”

In Thursday’s preseason victory over the Nuggets, DeRozan showcased his skills by attempting eight free throws in just 25 minutes of play. He utilized his signature pump fake to outmaneuver defenders, a move that DeRozan credits to Maggette’s guidance. DeRozan explains, “Corey taught me a lot – how to draw fouls, take advantage of penalties, and effectively use my body. I learned a great deal from Corey. We used to compete in shooting drills, mostly focusing on midrange shots.”

During his time with the Clippers, Maggette was known for his ability to draw fouls and averaged over eight free-throw attempts for five consecutive seasons, peaking at 10 per game in 2004-05.

DeRozan fondly remembers their commitment to daily training, saying, “We spent every day together in the gym.”

For those concerned about Stacey King, worry not! The beloved analyst took to his social media account to announce that he will be returning for the regular-season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 25th, accompanied by his partner, Adam Amin.

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