Chicago Bulls star and Chicago native Derrick Rose recently chose Lake Forest College as his undergraduate school for the 2015 fall semester. Since Rose had not finished college, he decided to take a break from his basketball career to finish his degree in business.
Growing up in Chicago’s south side neighborhood, Englewood, Derrick Rose dreamt of one thing: basketball. From the streets of Chicago to the life of a Chicago Bull, Rose’s dream became a reality. Derrick Rose began his career with the Bulls in 2008, where he was drafted into the National Basketball Association (NBA) after only playing one year at the University of Memphis.
Rose started his basketball career by becoming the youngest player to win the NBA’s Most Valuable Player Award in 2011. Shortly after this achievement, during the 2011-2012 season, Rose tore his ACL, which caused him to miss the playoffs and the rest of the season. Rose did not reappear until the 2012-2013 season, after taking a year off to regain his strength.
One year later, on November 22, 2013, after returning from his first knee surgery, Rose learned he tore his meniscus. This forced him out for the rest of the season. He was able to return for the 2014- 2015 season. Unfortunately, in February 2015, Rose tore his meniscus again. Doctors say he will be out for four to six weeks.
Due to his continuous injuries, Rose has decided to put aside basketball and finish college. Although this may seem odd for a player like Rose, who is currently in the middle of a five year contract extension with the Bulls for $98 million dollars, he feels it is the next best option.With that being said, he does not have to deal with all of the haters that put blame on him. “I am sick and tired of hearing everyone complain about me, so I thought it would be best to just have me leave the league so people don’t have to deal with my injuries and me,” said Rose.
As a proud Forester-to-be, Rose plans to major in business and get involved in other on-campus activities that he was not able to do while playing basketball. He is not sure what he wants to do with his business major, but he knows that he wants to “expand his horizons” and possibly join the handball team because it is not a contact sport and he “won’t have to worry about getting injured.”
He also feels the only way to win a championship is to be coached by the one and only, Coach Michael Dau ’58. Rose will continue to play basketball in the intramural league at the College in hopes of winning a t-shirt and to stay in shape.
As much as he will miss being a part of the NBA, “it is time to move on,” Rose said, “but the NBA and the Chicago Bulls will forever be in my heart.”
Disclaimer: All stories in The Chive are works of fiction. People involved in the stories may not have knowledge of their involvement. This section is meant to serve as a humorous break from the daily grind.
