Drake Disrespects DeMar DeRozan at Sydney Concert, Sacramento Kings Respond

Sydney, Australia – Drake recently reignited tensions with Sacramento Kings star DeMar DeRozan during a concert in Sydney, leading to significant reactions from fans and the player’s current team. The incident occurred on February 16, 2025, when an audience member threw a No. 10 DeRozan jersey onto the stage. Drake, initially amused, tossed the jersey aside after realizing its significance, prompting an uproar on social media.

The moment was caught on video and quickly went viral. The Sacramento Kings’ social media team leapt to DeRozan’s defense, sharing an edited clip that featured a fan catching the jersey joyfully. They captioned it, “the 916 loves Deebo.” Kings fans also chimed in support, saying, “DeMar did more for Toronto and Canada than Drake could ever dream of,” and expressing their appreciation for the Kings’ social media efforts.

DeRozan, who spent the first nine years of his NBA career with the Toronto Raptors and boasts four All-Star appearances, has a complicated history with Drake. The pair’s friendship began during DeRozan’s time with the Raptors but has soured in light of recent events. The tension escalated after DeRozan appeared in Kendrick Lamar’s music video for ‘Not Like Us,’ which is widely seen as a diss track aimed at Drake.

DeRozan maintained a neutral stance regarding his relationship with both artists. “We love Drake, we always can play him,” he stated during an earlier interview. “Kendrick’s been a friend of mine, family. Damn near family, for a long time.” In contrast, Drake has made his disdain for DeRozan’s involvement with Lamar quite clear, especially during a previous game when he threatened to “pull down” a potential retirement banner for DeRozan’s jersey. “If you ever put up a DeRozan banner, I’ll go up there and pull it down myself,” Drake told TSN.

Drake’s comments came to the forefront during the Raptors’ game against the Kings, where he was seen making pointed remarks towards DeRozan from his courtside seat. Despite the public jabs, DeRozan has typically reacted with poise, even dismissing Drake’s threats with humor. “He’s gonna have a long way to climb, I’ll tell you that,” DeRozan quipped in response to the comments about the potential banner.

The ongoing feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar adds another layer to the rivalry, especially as Lamar continues to gain acclaim with his artistry. His Grammy-winning track ‘Not Like Us’ and its recent performance at Super Bowl 59 heightened public interest in the dynamics between the three figures. As the drama unfolds, fans from both the music and sports world eagerly await the next chapter in this high-profile rivalry.