Derrick Rose

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Lore & Background

Rose was born and raised in Chicago, and attended Simeon Career Academy. He led the Tigers to the most wins in NCAA history (a 38–2 record), their first number 1 ranking in 25 years, and an appearance in the NCAA championship game. In 2009, an NCAA investigation revealed that Rose's SAT scores had been invalidated, and as a result, the NCAA vacated Memphis' entire 2007–08 season. Rose struggled with significant knee injuries throughout his career. In the first round of the 2012 NBA playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers, Rose tore his ACL in his left knee. He required surgery and was subsequently sidelined for the entire 2012–13 season. Rose returned to play in 2013–14, but in November 2013, he injured his right meniscus, causing him to miss the remainder of the season. He returned once again the following season, but knee injuries continued to impact his availability and production. In June 2016, Rose was traded to the New York Knicks, where he finished the final year of his contract. He signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers on a minimum salary for the 2017–18 season but was hobbled by ankle injuries, which led to him being traded to, and subsequently waived by, the Utah Jazz in February 2018. He signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves a month later on a rest-of-season contract; he stayed with the team through the following season and enjoyed a revived role as a sixth man. For the 2019–20 season, the Detroit Pistons signed Rose to his first non-minimum salary contract since 2017, and he continued to be successful off the bench. The following season, he was reunited with his former coach Tom Thibodeau when the Knicks re-acquired him in a trade. In July 2023, Rose signed for the Memphis Grizzlies in free agency. In September 2024, Rose was released by the Grizzlies, and subsequently announced his retirement.

In Their Own Story

Rose's tenure with the Chicago Bulls was marked by explosive highs and heartbreaking lows. After being drafted first overall in 2008, he won Rookie of the Year immediately. His peak arrived in the 2010–11 season when he led the Bulls to the best record in the NBA and became the youngest MVP in history at age 22. However, his career was derailed by significant knee injuries. In the first round of the 2012 playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers, Rose tore his ACL in his left knee, sidelining him for the entire 2012–13 season. His return attempts were fraught with setbacks. He returned in 2013–14 only to injure his right meniscus in November 2013, missing the rest of that season. Although he played in subsequent seasons, knee injuries consistently impacted his availability and production. In June 2016, Rose was traded to the New York Knicks, finishing out his contract there before moving on to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, and finally the Memphis Grizzlies.

Reader's Guide

Rose was born on Chicago’s South Side and grew up in the Englewood neighborhood. He is the youngest son of Brenda Rose after Dwayne, Reggie, and Allan. By the time Rose enrolled at Simeon Career Academy in 2003, he was widely noticed by collegiate coaches. He wore No. 25 in honor of Ben "Benji" Wilson. Rose was not allowed on varsity due to a tradition that head coach Bob Hambric had no freshmen on the varsity team. The next year Hambric retired and Robert Smith was hired, opening the path to varsity. In Rose's debut, he had 22 points, 7 rebounds and 5 steals over Thornwood High School. He led the Wolverines to a 30–5 mark while averaging 19.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 2.4 steals. During Rose's junior year in 2006, the Simeon Wolverines won the Chicago Public League championship held at the United Center, where Rose starred with 25 points. The team advanced to the Class AA state championship against Richwoods High School, where a fourth quarter buzzer beater by Richwood forced overtime. The score was knotted at 29 late in the extra period when Rose stole the ball and buried the game winning jumper as time expired, giving Simeon its first state title since the Wilson-led Wolverines won in 1984. The team finished 33–4. Entering his senior year, Rose was ranked the fifth best prospect in the nation by Sports Illustrated. In January 2007, Simeon traveled to Madison Square Garden to play Rice High School and star guard Kemba Walker. The Wolverines lost 53–51. The season's highlight was a nationally televised contest on ESPN against Oak Hill Academy two weeks later. Matched up with Brandon Jennings, Rose had 28 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds in a 78–75 win. Simeon went on to repeat as Public League champions and defended their state championship, defeating O'Fallon High School 77–54. In his final high school game, Rose scored 2 points, but pulled down 7 rebounds and totaled 8 assists. The Wolverines ended the season 33–2 and ranked first in the nation by Sports Illustrated and 6th on USA Today's Super 25. Rose averaged 25.2 points, 9.1 assists, 8.8 rebounds and 3.4 steals. Overall, Simeon's record while Rose played was 120–12. After his senior year, Rose was named Illinois Mr. Basketball and was named to the McDonald's All-American team. He was also awarded with First Team honors by Parade selection and USA Today and USA Today First Team All-America

Did You Know?

• Rose was nicknamed "D-Rose", "the Windy City Assassin", and "Pooh".
• He became the youngest player to win the NBA Most Valuable Player Award in 2011 at age 22 years and 7 months.
• Rose's SAT scores were invalidated by an NCAA investigation, leading to Memphis' 2007–08 season being vacated.
• He tore his ACL in the first round of the 2012 NBA playoffs and missed the entire 2012–13 season.
• Rose hit a game-winning jumper in overtime of the 2006 Illinois Class AA state championship game.