By Michael Espinel  April 10, 2020 

Derrick Martell Rose was born on October 4, 1988 in Chicago, IL. Rose didn’t have his father in his life but did have his mom and three older brothers to help him navigate life in the tough Englewood neighborhood of Chicago. By the time Derrick was in eighth grade his talent for basketball was apparent and his older brothers made sure he stayed on track by always dropping him off and picking him from school and practice and reprimanded him when he stepped out of line. Rose went to high school at Simeon Academy in Chicago and quickly became one of the nation’s best high school players. In his senior year at Simeon, he averaged a little over 25 points per game and was voted the nation’s best high school point guard. Rose decided to attend the University of Memphis and wasted no time to make his mark on the college game leading the Tigers to an NCAA record 38 wins and a National Championship appearance although Memphis would lose to the Kansas Jayhawks. In his one year at Memphis, Rose averaged 14.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in 40 games.

On June 28, 2008, Derrick Rose was drafted by his hometown Chicago Bulls and much like in high school and in college, The Windy City Assassin as he was known wasted no time in establishing himself as a force in the league. His rookie season went good as it could, Rose averaged 16.8 points and 6.3 assists on his way to winning NBA rookie of the year. His sophomore campaign was an improvement on his impressive one. Rose increased his scoring output to over 20 points per game and made the first of his three All-Star appearances. Over the next two seasons, Rose molded himself into one of the best players in the league. Rose said in an interview “Why can’t I be MVP of the league? Why can’t I be the best player in the league?” In 2011, Rose won the NBA Most Valuable Player award, becoming the youngest player to ever do so. In the 2011-2012 lockout shortened season, Rose led the Chicago Bulls to number one seed in the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately in the first round of the playoffs, Rose went down with a severe left knee injury that caused him to miss the rest of the playoffs and the entire 2012-2013 season. When Rose returned in the 2013-2014 season, he only played 10 games before tearing the meniscus in his right knee. After a couple more seasons with the Bulls, Rose was traded to the New York Knicks along with Justin Holiday and a 2nd round pick for Robin Lopez, Jose Calderon, and Jerian Grant. After being traded, Rose bounced around to a few teams without much success. In late 2018, Rose signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

On November 1, 2018, D-Rose set a career high in points scoring 50 against the Utah Jazz. The game is referred to as the “comeback game” and his performance was praised by the league and fans alike. The “comeback game” became the “comeback season” as in 51 games with the Timberwolves, Rose averaged 18 points and 4 assists a game. In the 2019 off-season, Rose signed a two-year deal with the Detroit Pistons. In his first season with the Pistons, Rose was averaging 18.1 points and 5.6 assists before the league was postponed due to COVID-19.

D-Rose has had an interesting career, from being the first overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, to becoming the youngest MVP in league history but just as quick as his ascent superstardom, injuries riddled his promising career. Rose had become one of the biggest NBA what if stories and it seemed as his career was over but just as quick descent to benchwarmer. Derrick Rose resurrected his career becoming one the league’s best Sixth Men and a reliable starter in limited minutes given his injury history. Rose has had an interesting career so far but if the now 31 year old can stay healthy. He should have a few more productive years in the league and maybe even return to an All-Star form.

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