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'I thought his name was fake' - Jeff Teague shares when he first time heard about D-Rose

Originally posted on Basketball Network | By Adel Ahmad | Last updated Dec 24, 2024 11:14 AM ET

When Derrick Rose became the youngest MVP in NBA history during the 2010-11 season, it marked the culmination of years of relentless dedication and undeniable talent.

D-Rose's rise to the top was no fluke; it resulted from a life spent on the basketball court, honing skills that would make him a household name. From the earliest moments of his career, those who watched Derick play recognized he was destined for greatness.

First encounter

Before they were NBA competitors and later teammates, Jeff Teague and Rose's paths crossed unexpectedly. The Indiana native first heard about the 2011 MVP as a budding teenager.

"I've seen him in eighth grade," Teague said. "Going to eighth grade, he played for a team called Ferrari, and it was a team called Houston Hoops; we were in a gas station. And they're like, 'You're good… but have you ever seen Derrick Rose? I'm like, 'Who that?' And your name sound fake. Like Derrick Rose, you don't hear nobody last name Rose; instead, Jaylen Rose."

This was just the beginning of Derrick's ascent. The Chicago native was already making waves at Simeon Career Academy, where his unmatched speed and ability to dominate games set him apart. By the time the guard led Simeon to back-to-back state championships, he had already established himself as one of the top prospects in the country.

Derrick Rose was unbelievable in high school.

All of these highlights are from the SAME GAME!!

pic.twitter.com/S2IwgNZcDY
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) September 26, 2024

His transition to college basketball was seamless. At the University of Memphis, "Pooh" guided the Tigers to the NCAA Championship Game in 2008, showcasing his athleticism and court vision. Even though Memphis fell short in the final, the point guard's stock skyrocketed, and Rose was selected first overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls.

Crossing paths

Years later, after battles against one another as opponents, the pair of point guards found themselves on the same roster as the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2018-19 season. By then, Derrick's career had taken a dramatic turn. Once the league's most electrifying player, Rose had endured a series of devastating injuries that derailed his career and left many questioning if he would ever regain his form.

When D-Rose joined the Timberwolves, he was no longer the explosive MVP of old. Yet, he remained determined to contribute. Despite missing 31 games due to injury management, "Pooh" embraced a role as the team's sixth man and made the most of it.

During this time, the former Memphis Tiger delivered one of the most memorable performances of his career: a 50-point game against the Utah Jazz on October 31, 2018. The outpouring of emotion after that game underscored just how much Derrick had endured.

His teammates, including Teague, couldn't help but admire the grit that fueled his comeback. D-Rose bounced around a few more teams before eventually calling it quits in 2024, marking the end of one of the NBA's greatest "what-if" careers.