Derrick Rose explains how the D-Rose rule helped players get better contracts: 'You help a lot of people get paid with the Rose Rule'

Working to the goal

All that wouldn’t have been possible if D-Rose hadn’t been a standout athlete with unshakable determination. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, the 6-foot-3 guard emerged as a basketball prodigy at Simeon Career Academy, where his poise and skill made him the top high school recruit in the nation.

He continued his ascent at the University of Memphis, leading the Tigers to the 2008 NCAA championship game. His ability to take over games with speed, agility, and basketball IQ made him a consensus No. 1 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.

After entering the NBA, the shooting guard quickly established himself by earning Rookie of the Year honors and leading the Bulls to the playoffs in his first season. By 2011, he had propelled Chicago to a league-best 62-20 record and was crowned MVP. In all that, he was solely focused, and his work ethic stood out from the beginning.

“I’m not going to clubs, I’m not going to dinners, I’m not doing your typical [expletive] because I’m thinking that you have to be a machine. I didn’t enjoy any of that until like my fourth year, so that rule was not only for me; it’s for everybody,” Rose said.

Yet, for all his accomplishments, the former MVP’s career trajectory took a heartbreaking turn. A torn ACL during the 2012 playoffs marked the beginning of a series of injuries derailing his prime years. Fans were robbed of what could have been one of the most remarkable careers in basketball history.

Despite the setbacks, the former Bulls star’s influence remains undeniable. The rule modeled after his exploits ensures that elite young players are financially rewarded and solidifies his legacy as a trailblazer who changed the business side of the NBA.