It was a special night in Hub City as Compton High welcomed home Toronto Raptors star DeMar DeRozan.

DeRozan was on hand in the Tarbabes’ gym Thursday night as the school retired his jersey number. Back home during the NBA All-Star break, he was joined by dozens of family members, former classmates and teammates for the halftime ceremony.

“It means a lot to me to come back,” he said prior to the Tarbabes’ game against Cabrillo. “This school and this city made me who I am.”

When DeRozan made the decision to go to Compton, the Tarbabes were a struggling program that hadn’t won a Moore League title in a decade. He went on to average 25 points per game over his career and led Compton to two league championships, before starring for USC and in the NBA.

Although many outside influences tried to encourage him to leave the city for a private school, he said he never considered it.

“This is where I’m from,” he said. “Everybody’s about leaving their city, but it was only right that I come here. I lived across the street. I wanted to help build the program, and it means a lot to see how well they’re still doing.”

DeRozan is still actively involved with the school, speaking with his high school coach, Tony Thomas, multiple times a week to track the Tarbabes’ progress. He’s been a willing donor for gym upgrades, and hosts an annual tournament at the school. He also works out there during the offseason.

“He’s incredible,” said Thomas. “He does whatever we need. It’s not his responsibility, but he does it.”

The ceremony was well attended, including another prominent Tarbabe athletes, including Datone Jones, the starting lineman for the Green Bay Packers who graduated the same year as DeRozan. Both ex-Tarbabe stars stayed long after the game was over, making sure every student and fan who wanted an autograph or a picture got one before they left.

“It’s a special night for all of us,” said DeRozan’s father, Frank. “It’s like my son always says, he makes money, the money doesn’t make him. He’s still the same kid, he just wants to help show the way for these students.”

DeRozan, of course, was pleased to see his Tarbabes defeat Cabrillo 78-58 to clinch a CIF-SS playoff berth.