During the NCAA tournament, the Public League watched with pride as former Simeon high school star Derrick Rose turned the country on with his performance for Memphis, helping lead the Tigers to the national championship game.
Now, the Public League will be watching with pride once again as Rose heads to the NBA. ”I have decided to make myself eligible for the 2008 NBA Draft,” Rose said, making the announcement everyone had expected all along. ”This is not a step I take lightly, although it has always been a dream of mine to play in the NBA.
After weighing all of the options…I feel that it is the right time for me to take this step.” During the NCAA championship game, Public League fans were torn between their rooting interests. Former Crane high school star Sherron Collins was a key member of the title-winning Kansas Jayhawks.
“This goes to prove that the bestûI mean the very bestûhigh school basketball is played in the Chicago Public League,” said Public League sports coordinator Calvin Davis. “We had not one, but two of our players in the national championship game.
“We all in the Public League felt like proud parents watching Derrick and Sherron play for the championship.” Perhaps those watching Rose’s performance most intently and with the most pride were those at Beasley Academic Center on South State Street. It was there that it all began for Rose. It was at Beasley where he led head coach Thomas Green’s teams to two straight Public League elementary school city titles.
“Everyone here at Beasley is extremely proud of Derrick,” said Thomas. “Everyone here is acting like a surrogate parent.” “This is where it all started for him and we all feel great.” Rose is expected to be the first or second pick in the NBA Draft, which will be held in June. The order of the draft will be determined by the draft lottery, which will be held May 7.
The Bulls, who didn’t make the playoffs, will be part of the lottery. However, their chances of securing Rose with the first or second pick might be slim. Most experts have Rose getting selected by either the Miami Heat or Seattle Supersonics, the teams that had the worst two records in the league.
If selected as the top pick in the draft, Rose would receive a guaranteed contract worth more than $15 million. His first shoe endorsement contract is expected to top that figure. If Rose is indeed the first pick, he won’t be the only former Chicago prep star to have that distinction.
Former De La Salle star Larue Martin was taken first in the 1972 draft by the Portland Trailblazers while in 1980 former Westinghouse star Mark Aquirre was chosen first by the Dallas Mavericks.
______ Copyright 2008 Chicago Defender. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
About Post Author
