'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
NBA great Derrick Rose partners with Adidas to empower the next generation of high school hoopers at his alma mater
Derrick Rose is one of the greatest basketball players who has never won an NBA championship. After concluding his NBA career, he decided to give back to his alma mater, Simeon Career Academy. With the help of Adidas, he made his alma mater the first-ever "Rose School."
“Derrick Rose’s journey began in high school at Simeon Career Academy, where he built the foundation for his career," the statement by Adidas Basketball said. "His Simeon experience laid the groundwork for the legacy he continues to build. Together, we’re proud to announce Simeon as the first Rose school, continuing our mission to inspire and create opportunities for the next generation.”
Derrick Rose and Adidas will provide Simeon Career Academy uniforms featuring Rose’s signature logo. This opportunity will allow players to grow not only athletically but also in their personal lives.
Rose, a Chicago native, attended the school for all four years of high school, though he only played from his sophomore to senior years. However, then-coach Bob Hambric invited the future Chicago Bulls star to play for the varsity team as a freshman.
When he finally got to play for the varsity team, though, he pushed the Simeon Career Academy Wolverines to new heights. This included the team winning Illinois' Class AA state championships back-to-back in 2006 and 2007. This was also the first time a Chicago public school won back-to-back state titles.
During his senior year, he was named a McDonald's All-American and received two All-State mentions. He was so successful at the school that the Wolverines retired his No. 25 jersey.
After graduating in 2007, he went to Memphis after being recruited by now-Arkansas head coach John Calipari. He was a one-and-done, eventually entering the 2008 NBA draft and being selected as the first overall pick by his hometown team, the Bulls. The rest is history.
Ja Morant says Derrick Rose changed his career last season
In one of his final acts as an NBA superstar, the 2010 NBA MVP Derrick Rose was a mentor and role model for one of the NBA's most controversial stars, Ja Morant.
The two played together for the Memphis Grizzlies and Morant credits Rose for significantly impacting his career.
"He [Rose] spoke on some of the stuff he went through, and we shared similar stuff, you know, growing up and all,” said Ja Morant. “So, it was surprising to see that. Obviously, watching a guy like that — guys said we have similarities in our game. Just to know that off the court we shared some of the same things with big time. (He showed) how I carry myself now, and what I do around the organization.”
Morant has had problems off the court, including getting suspended for flashing a gun twice. It was Rose who helped straighten him out.
Trending
