Top star made history in the 2010-11 season by becoming the youngest player ever to win the NBA MVP award, leading the Chicago Bulls to the league’s best record and setting the stage for what looked like a dominant career ahead.
Unfortunately, his trajectory changed dramatically after he tore his left ACL in Game 1 of the 2012 playoffs, causing him to miss the entire 2012-13 season.
In 2013-14, he returned but played just 10 games before suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee, which required season-ending surgery. He re-injured the same meniscus in 2014-15, and later, during the 2016-17 season, he tore the meniscus in his left knee.
Throughout his NBA career, he suited up for several teams, including the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks (in two separate stints), Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, and Memphis Grizzlies.
In a recent interview with Cyro Asseo de Choch of HoopsHype, Rose reflected on his injury struggles, admitting that there were times he questioned his hardships, saying he used to ask God why he kept getting hurt.
However, Rose eventually stopped questioning God, realizing he had to accept and endure the challenges that came his way.
“I never asked the doctor why my injuries were happening,” Rose told HoopsHype. “They’re just giving me a reason. But I asked God that numerous times. After a while, I stopped asking. I knew I had to roll with the punches. And that’s part of being from Chicago. Like, hey, if I can make it out of here, I can make it anywhere. And I made it out, and God placed me back there, like in Chicago.”
“So I’m like, man, I’m here. And I’ve got to live with some type of purpose,” Rose continued. “What’s going to be my purpose? And the older I get, I’m starting to see that my purpose is to show people that you can get through it.”
Derrick Rose played in 723 NBA games over his career, averaging 17.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game.
Now 36 years old, Rose was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft out of Memphis. He earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2009, made three All-Star teams, and was named to one All-NBA team during his career.