Resurgence or Redemption? The Derrick Rose Story: A prodigy from Chicago’s Southside

From street ball prodigy to NBA all-star. The Derrick Rose story. A story of resurgence and redemption. And he’s doing it now with the Detroit Pistons.

Resurgence or redemption? Two powerful terminologies that embody rebirth, recovery, and comeback. On the rugged pavements of Chicago’s playgrounds, he was given the nickname, “Pooh.” Remember Winnie the Pooh? That adorable cartoon series we all watched while eating Frosted Flakes. But growing up, Derrick Rose didn’t find Chicago’s playgrounds adorable. It was rough.

It was resurgence and redemption that paved the way for “Pooh,” growing up on the gruesome streets of Chicago’s Southside. A city with a murderous stigma. Street wars with gang members, and competing for neighborhood turf. We’re talking about the infamous reality of Chicago’s inner-city streets.

But this story isn’t about inner-city streets. It’s about a basketball prodigy. A streetball legend from the Englewood neighborhood. Englewood is one of the most dangerous areas of Chicago’s Southside. A prodigy looking for a way out. More importantly; an opportunity to become the greatest version of “him.” But what was the ultimate goal for Derrick Rose? Basketball? Or was it dodging greed, gangs, and deleterious influences? The questions many of you would ask yourself if you lived in an environment known for violence and calamity.

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In Rose’s case, it was all three. He grew up in a household where he was influenced by his three older brothers. His three brothers were also talented basketball players who taught him not only the in’s and outs of the game but also the in’s and outs of becoming something greater than what he saw walking the streets of Englewood. That’s when he blossomed into one of Chicago’s popular street ballers.

It was 2003 when Rose enrolled at Simeon Career Academy after his name permeated the basketball landscape in Chicago. From a chronological perspective; before Rose became the basketball ‘messiah’ on the city’s Southside; he was influenced by a former Chicago basketball legend from the ’80s; Ben “Benji” Wilson.

Wilson, a top recruit at Simeon and promising collegiate prospect was murdered his senior year by a local gang member in 1984. Wilson’s murder had a direct impact on Rose when he started his high school basketball career. Because of this, he chose to wear No. 25 at Simeon; the same number that “Benji,” wore during his playing days.

That’s when Rose became Chicago’s high school basketball “messiah.” In 2007, the five-star recruit was rated the fifth-best overall prospect in the country. It was a recruiting year that featured numerous high school phenoms including James Harden, Michael Beasley, O.J. Mayo, Eric Gordon, Kevin Love, Kyle Singler, and DeAndre Jordan. Rose attracted several power five institutions, but the University of Memphis took notice immediately. John Calipari, now coaching at Kentucky, was originally the head coach at Memphis when Rose starred for the Tigers.

At Memphis, Rose emerged as one of the nation’s top guards. He helped lead Memphis to the 2008 NCAA national championship. But Kansas defeated Memphis 75-68 in overtime. Shortly after, controversy ignited when officials at the University of Memphis had to vacate the 2007-08 season after allegations were made that someone allegedly took the SAT for Rose when he attended Simeon. Those allegations forced Rose to forgo his final three years of eligibility at Memphis and enter the NBA Draft.

“Pooh,” was the No.1 overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. That draft was special for Rose in regards to playing professionally for his hometown team; Chicago Bulls. As a rookie, Rose was an integral part of the Bulls during the 2008-09 season. But it was the 2010-11 season where his prominence became well-known around the NBA.

Accolades are inevitable when you’re the ‘star.’ For D. Rose, it was an MVP campaign that became incredibly historical. At 22 years old, he became the youngest player in NBA history to receive MVP. Not only that; Rose is the only player since Michael Jordan to receive an MVP award in Bulls history. That’s an amazing feat considering the number of great players that played with the Bulls franchise.

Subsequently, the narrative went from promising to lugubrious. During the 2011-12 season, Rose suffered an ACL tear against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the NBA playoffs that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. That injury was so detrimental that Rose missed the entire 2012-13 season with the Bulls. But there’s more. He tore his right meniscus against the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2013-14 season. With two seasons worth of injuries, Rose’s career was almost out the door.

Rose was traded from the Bulls to the New York Knicks in 2016. That’s when the escapade started with him jumping from franchise to franchise. First, it was New York, then the Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and now Detroit Pistons.

Rose has found a home in Detroit. Why? Think about how much resurgence and redemption he had to implement during his journey. It wasn’t easy. Sometimes horrific. But the one thing that cannot be justified is his basketball talent. A potential Hall of Famer. A prodigy from Chicago’s Southside that wanted greatness despite the vile experiences he saw growing up.

Resurgence or redemption? Redemption. It sounds better. Why? Rose proved to himself that it wasn’t over. It’s never over. A dream that started in Englewood on Chicago’s Southside. Now, it’s a story that could potentially place him in the list of NBA greats.

Redemption. We hear these stories all the time. Overcoming hardships. Taking those hardships and translating them into victories.

This season, we’re looking at the rebirth, recovery, and comeback of a prodigy straight from Chicago’s inner-city streets. Redemption is key.