Derrick Rose was already rocking the basketball scene before entering Simeon Career Academy. The player has three talented basketball-playing brothers to learn from. Naturally, even during middle school, Rose showed his exceptional talent. Basketball player E’Twaun Moore who claimed to have known the Chicago native spoke about Rose’s prowess while hooping against him for the first time.

E’Twaun recently made an appearance in the Club 520 Podcast. Speaking of his experience playing with Rose in middle school, the player recounted, “That was sick that’s crazy cuz D Rose man I’ve been known him since the middle school first time we hooped together too crazy that’s crazy it’s like first time me and Jeff we was in a side gym in the high school you remember that he was like a little, no bleachers right…….you got the gym upstairs to the side man he up for the free throw I’m telling you, man, like no lie.”

Derrick Rose’s ability to jump from the free throw line and 3-point line before his NBA debut was impressive and reminded fans of the athleticism shown by Michael Jordan. No wonder, he won the Rookie of the Year award in 2009. He had a successful high school run, from making appearances in the playoffs of the Class AA state championship to getting a Parade All-American selection. His remarkable talent was recognized and he was named the Illinois Mr. Basketball.

After watching his prowess in one of the games in AAU, Rose was offered to join the University of Memphis in 2007-08.

Injuries marred Derrick Rose’s NBA career

With an impressive record of 26-0 start, Derrick Rose helped Memphis rise to the top rank in the nation for the first time. Unfortunately, while competing in the NCAA Championship Game, Rose and his team couldn’t defeat the Kansas Jayhawks  Following that in 2008, he decided to level up his chances and go for the NBA. 

Rose was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 2008 and became their first player after Michael Jordan to score at least 10 points in his first 10 games. He had the potential to become one of the best in the league, had his career not been marred by injuries. Some even believed the Bulls might have won another championship if Rose hadn’t been injured.

Rose injured his ACL in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers in 2012. While he couldn’t appear for the rest of the 2012-13 season, he tried to make a comeback in 2013, but luck didn’t favor him. He ended up injuring meniscus in his knee. When he finally returned to the court, Rose wasn’t the same explosive player. However, staying active as a player since 2008 shows his prowess in the game.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.