CHATHAM — A whole lot of Derrick Rose followers packed the Simeon Profession Academy fitness center Friday evening to look at the Bulls Legend play once more at his highschool along with his son alongside him.
The sport on the college, 8147 S. Vincennes Ave., got here earlier than the Saturday evening Bulls sport devoted to Rose. It featured the basketball star enjoying alongside along with his son Derrick “PJ” Rose Jr., Simeon alumni, pals and the present Simeon varsity boys basketball workforce. Breaks between quarters included expertise challenges, dance contests and different actions highlighting proficient Simeon grads.
The bleachers had been at capability earlier than the sport began, with strains operating exterior the varsity and followers filling the balcony. The entrance row included notable folks from Rose’s life and profession as a Bull, together with former teammates Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Tony Snell and Brad Miller. Simeon graduate and present Bull Talen Horton-Tucker was additionally in attendance alongside workforce mascot Benny the Bull.
“Tonight represents household,” mentioned Simeon principal Tamarah Ellis, who graduated from the varsity in 1989 and was Rose’s athletic director from 2003 to 2006. “It’s for Derrick to have the ability to bear in mind the place he got here from and provides again…give the children one thing to dream of.”
Rose entered the fitness center to the roar of followers desperate to see their hometown hero take the ground once more. Customized jerseys with a rose emblem had been worn by each workforce Rose and workforce Pooh (Rose’s childhood nickname).
“His legacy reminds us of the ability of resilience,” Ald. William Corridor (sixth) mentioned. “Derrick Rose reminds us that we should always by no means quit and that is our time. At this time is the start of the subsequent era seeing what greatness appears to be like like.”
Nearly instantly, Rose and his son had been scoring factors. The 12-year-old flanked his father and dished assists whereas scoring himself.
“It’s enjoyable to see them [Rose and PJ] play collectively,” mentioned Simeon senior Da’Mya Corridor. “It’s a blessing to have the ability to come to Simeon the place enjoying provides folks a chance to be large within the NBA.”
Mike Ajayi has been a fan of Rose since he was a toddler and was excited to see him enjoying along with his son.
“I’m a dad myself, so with the ability to see a dad play along with his son and see flashes of himself was a particular second,” Ajayi mentioned.
At halftime, Rose and different hosts honored the 1984 Simeon males’s state championship workforce, the primary for the varsity and included junior rising star Ben Wilson who was murdered on the opening day of his senior season. In 1989, the varsity’s Ben Wilson Gymnasium opened in dedication to Wilson. At Friday’s halftime ceremony Wilson’s brother Jeffrey accepted a golden ball on his behalf.
The sport concluded with a free throw from Rose to interrupt a 24-24 tie between groups, celebrated with a roar of applause from the gang. In his remarks following the sport, Rose thanked his followers at Simeon for supporting him all through his profession highs and lows.
“Actual pals are like stars, you solely see them in the dead of night,” mentioned Rose, quoting singer Bob Marley. “I admire the gratitude and help for all of those years…going by way of these onerous occasions you possibly can really feel alone.”
As followers left the sport, they obtained a free copy of Rose’s particular situation of SLAM journal forward of Saturday’s Derrick Rose evening and retirement celebration on the United Heart. Saturday morning, the Chicago Bulls introduced that Rose’s No. 1 jersey can be retired.
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