Heat's Norman Powell Recalls Disbelief Over First Workout With DeMar DeRozan

The Miami Heat guard grew up watching DeRozan in Los Angeles and was in awe of getting to play one-on-one with his idol.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Miami Heat guard Norman Powell, who recently played in his first NBA All-Star Game, recalled being in disbelief the first time he got to work out with DeMar DeRozan after being drafted by the Toronto Raptors in 2015. As a Southern California native, Powell had closely followed DeRozan's career and was starstruck to share the court with his idol, even scoring on him during their one-on-one sessions.

Why it matters

This story provides a glimpse into the surreal experience of an NBA player getting to work directly with a childhood hero and idol. It highlights the humbling nature of reaching the professional ranks and the sense of awe that can come with suddenly being on the same court as someone you've long admired from afar.

The details

Powell, who is now enjoying a breakout campaign with the Miami Heat, was drafted by the Toronto Raptors in 2015. As a Southern California native, he had closely followed DeRozan's career, watching his highlight videos in high school. When Powell first got to work out with DeRozan at UCLA after being drafted, he was starstruck, calling his friends afterwards to tell them he had scored on his idol during their one-on-one sessions.

  • Powell was drafted by the Toronto Raptors in 2015.
  • Powell and DeRozan were teammates on the Raptors from 2015 to 2019.

The players

Norman Powell

A 32-year-old guard for the Miami Heat who recently played in his first NBA All-Star Game.

DeMar DeRozan

A veteran guard for the Sacramento Kings who grew up in Compton, California and was a star player for the Toronto Raptors when Powell was drafted by the team.

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What they’re saying

“Just because being a So Cal (Southern California) kid, knowing everything DeMar did at Compton, watching his highlight videos when I was in high school, so sharing a court with him, working out with him, playing one-on-one, it was one of those moments.”

— Norman Powell, Miami Heat Guard (The Score)

“After we were done, I called my boys, like, 'Yeah, I just got a workout with DeMar, I just scored on him.' So that's probably my first moment of 'Man, I can't believe it.'”

— Norman Powell, Miami Heat Guard (The Score)

The takeaway

This story highlights the surreal experience of an NBA player getting to work directly with a childhood hero and idol, underscoring the humbling nature of reaching the professional ranks and the sense of awe that can come with suddenly being on the same court as someone you've long admired from afar.