Deebo shared how he got some tough love from his mother.

DeMar DeRozan grew up in Compton, California, a place known for its violence and gang activity. Despite the obstacles he faced, Deebo was able to overcome adversity and become a successful NBA player for the Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs, and, currently, the Chicago Bulls. He credits this success to his mother’s firm but loving discipline.

Did not understand the value of discipline back then

Growing up, Deebo did not fully grasp why his mother, Diane, was so hard on him. It wasn’t until later on that he realized what she was trying to do, given the environment he grew up in.

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DeRozan shared how his mother endured losing two brothers to gang violence while another has been sentenced to life in prison for committing murder.

“I used to hate discipline when I was young. But as I got older, I started appreciating it so much and understanding why she was so hard on me and why she gave me so much love and showed me so much protection at the same moment,” DeRozan shared in a tribute he wrote for his mom on The Athletic.

Mom never hesitated to lay the smackdown

DeRozan also wrote how his mom never hesitated to give him some tough love if the circumstances called for it.

“I remember being young; she always used to try to keep me away from making any type of mistake — making sure I walked through the door every single day. I didn’t understand it when I was young. So, whenever I used to get out of line in any type of way, she used to whup my ass. I’m talking about whup my a*s!”

“Looking back on that, laughing, the humor in that was just her always beating some sense in me. Not to be like everybody else. Not to get caught up in doing all this crazy stuff putting yourself in trouble. She always was worried about me. She didn’t want to get a call that something happened to me or get a call that I was in jail,” DeRozan added.