DeMar DeRozan Once Received Rafael Nadal-Like Treatment After Being Assumed as a Trespasser at the Air Canada Center

DeMar DeRozan has switched a few teams in the past couple of seasons. Despite being the star of the Chicago Bulls, Deebo was and will always be a legend in Toronto.

Before the Bulls and the San Antonio Spurs, the former USC Trojan represented the Raptors for nearly an entire decade. Even though the 6-foot-6 swingman was never successful in clinching a title for the Canadian-based franchise, he did lead them to their first Conference Finals appearance in 2016.

Also Read: Joel Embiid Casually Flexes Flawless Record After Improving to 8-0 in Los Angeles  

Without a doubt, DeRozan was loved by the people of Canada. However, he was once mistaken as a trespasser in the very arena he would spend the majority of his career playing at.

DeMar DeRozan was mistaken at Air Canada Center just like Rafael Nadal at the Paris Masters

Back in 2016, during the ECF series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, DeMar wanted to get some extra shots in before Game 4.

Just moments before stepping onto the hardwood, DeRozan had an awkward encounter with a security guard at the Air Canada Center, being mistaken as a trespasser. Talking about the incident, the then-26-year-old had said:

“That was the first time that ever happened. I just laughed about it. You know me. I wasn’t tripping. You can call the whole security team in here and obviously somebody is going to know, but she was just doing her job.”

For the non-tennis audience, Spanish legend Rafael Nadal once faced a similar incident.

Back in 2017, a security guard at the Paris Masters denied Rafa entry, asking the 22-time Grand Slam winner for a pass. Being the humble person he is, the southpaw politely mentioned his name and was then let in.

Here, have a look at the chain of events.

Throwback to when a security guard could not recognize Rafael Nadal at the 2017 Paris Masters 😄 pic.twitter.com/8lB41jEZkv

— Luigi Gatto (@gigicat7_) October 27, 2022

NBA in Paris Game

DeMar DeRozan and the Chicago Bulls have had a tough past few weeks, losing 5 of their last 9 games. However, Billy Donovan’s boys grabbed a much-need win before traveling to France.

The Illinois-based franchise will be facing the Detorit Pistons in Paris. The highly-anticipated clash is the NBA’s first return to Europe since January 2020. Thousands of fans will be present at the Accor Arena to watch hometown hero Killian Hayes and his team.

While it may be a battle of the lower seeded teams of the East, the contest that tips off at 3 PM ET on 19th January will definitely be an entetaining one.

Also Read: Michael Jordan’s 1997 NBA in Paris Visit Involved 27,000 Fans and a Hilarious Eiffel Tower Photograph