Derrick Rose
An early entry candidate for the 2008 NBA Draft.Career Highlights: Named Third Team All-American by The Associated Press and the NABC. Earned First Team All-Conference USA honors. Also named league Freshman of the Year and earned All-Freshman Team honors. Selected as a finalist for the Wooden Award. Was a member of the USA Basketball Junior National Select Team that defeated the World Select Team at the 2007 Nike Hoop Summit held in Memphis, Tenn.
Freshman (2007-08): Led the team in assists (4.7 apg, ranked fourth in Conference USA) and ranked second in scoring (14.9 ppg, eighth). Scored 20 or more points nine times. Shot 7-for-12 from the field, including five threes, in scoring 26 points at Cincinnati. Tallied 24 points and six rebounds at Connecticut. Registered 23 points, five rebounds, five assists and a career-high four steals vs. Tennessee. Narrowly missed a triple-double with 19 points, eight rebounds and nine assists vs. Gonzaga. Pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds vs. USC. Posted first career double-double with 19 points and a career-high 12 assists vs. Austin Peay. Dished out 11 assists vs. UAB in his second double-figure assist total of the season. Recorded 17 points, nine rebounds and seven assists vs. Mississippi State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Led team with a career-high 27 points vs. Michigan State in the Sweet Sixteen. Notched 21 points, six rebounds and nine assists vs. Texas in the Regional Finals on his way to South Region MVP honors. Hit 11-for-12 from the free throw line in scoring 25 points and added nine rebounds vs. UCLA in the Final Four. Scored 18 points, grabbed six rebounds and distributed eight assists vs. Kansas in the National Championship Game. Named to the NCAA Tournament All-Final Four Team.
High School: Named to the McDonald’s All-American Team and was a First Team All-America selection by USA Today, Parade Magazine and EA Sports. Participated in the Jordan Brand All-America Classic. Named 2007 Illinois Mr. Basketball by the Chicago Tribune. Averaged 25.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 3.4 steals as a senior, leading Simeon to a 33-2 overall record and a second straight Illinois Class AA championship. Averaged 20.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 2.6 steals as a junior. Averaged 19.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 2.4 steals as a sophomore and 18.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 2.1 steals as a freshman.
Strengths: A rare combination of speed, elite athleticism and poise at the point guard position. Uses quickness and strength to power his way to the basket and can finish with incredible body control. Makes good decisions in the open floor.
