Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan wins PBWA Magic Johnson Award

Toronto-Raptors-guard-DeMar-DeRozan.-(Pablo-Martinez-Monsivais/AP)

Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan has won the Pro Basketball Writers Association Magic Johnson Award for the 2017-18 season.

The award “honours the player who best combines excellence on the basketball court with cooperation and dignity in dealing with the media and the public.”

According to the PBWA’s official release, DeRozan was a player who “helped build an atmosphere of mutual respect and openness with the working media.”

This past season, the 28-year-old averaged 23 points and 5.2 assists on 45.6 per cent shooting, helping the Raptors to a franchise-best 59 wins and No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Paul George, veteran San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili and Boston Celtics big man Al Horford were all finalists for the award.

DeRozan is only second Raptors player to win the honour since its inception in 2001. Chris Bosh also won the award following the 2009-10 season.

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