DeMar DeRozan's daughter goes viral during Play-In game
When the Raptors were shooting free throws, Diar DeRozan’s shouts would come.
TORONTO (AP) — Diar DeRozan wanted to skip a day of school. Her father grudgingly went along with the plan.
As it turns out, the decision was worth making a fuss about.
The 9-year-old daughter of Chicago guard DeMar DeRozan stole the show at the AT&T Play-In Tournament on Wednesday night with shrieks from the stands that went viral and quite possibly played a role in helping the Bulls defeat the Toronto Raptors 109-105 in an Eastern Conference elimination game.
She would let out deafening screams whenever the Raptors – her father’s previous team – were taking free throws. Her yells were so loud they even became a topic of discussion during the ESPN game broadcast. The Raptors made 18 of 36 free throws in their season-finale defeat.
Raptors season FT%: 78.4%
Tonight: 50% (18-36)Instant Chicago legend. pic.twitter.com/V9Al6yjpCG
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 13, 2023
DeMVP of the night! pic.twitter.com/HvC5iB1GTE
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 13, 2023
“My daughter called me the other day when she was getting out of school and she just said, ‘Dad, can I come to the Toronto game?’” DeRozan said. “I remember her going to all the Toronto games when she was a kid and I almost said no because she’s in school back home. But she kept asking. She was just adamant about coming to support and I said, ‘All right, you can miss one day of school and come to a game.’
“Definitely, I owe her some money,” said DeRozan, “I’m glad I did.”
Toronto had its worst foul line performance of the season, going 18-for-36.
During the Raptors’ free throw attempts, DeMar DeRozan’s daughter, Diar, was heard shrieking.
“Generally, we didn’t have a great night with free throws,” said Pascal Siakam from Toronto.
The Bulls will face Miami on Friday night in a crucial game where they either win or exit the competition, with an opportunity to progress to the playoffs and play against No. 1 Milwaukee in Round 1 of the Eastern playoffs, commencing Sunday.
Diar’s dad confirmed she won’t be going to Miami, which is good news for the Heat.
“DeRozan said, “No, she needs to return to school.”
