Derrick Rose

Chicago native, youngest MVP, and former No. 1 overall pick.

Derrick Martell Rose (born October 4, 1988) is an American former professional basketball player. He played one year of college basketball for the Memphis Tigers before being drafted first overall by his hometown Chicago Bulls in the 2008 NBA draft. Nicknamed "D-Rose", and sometimes referred to as "the Windy City Assassin" or "Pooh", he was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2009 and became the youngest player to win the NBA Most Valuable Player Award in 2011 at the age of 22 years and 7 months.

Quick Facts

Born: 4 October 1988
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
High school: Simeon Career Academy (Chicago, Illinois)
College: Memphis (2007–2008)
Draft round: 1
Drafted by: Chicago Bulls
Career number: 1, 25, 4, 23
Career position: Point guard; shooting guard

Lore & Background

Rose was born and raised in Chicago, and attended Simeon Career Academy. He led the Tigers to a single-season record 38 wins (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 a proxy had taken Rose's SAT, and the Educational Testing Service subsequently invalidated the scores; 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.

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.