Derrick Rose — a Chicago legend through-and-through.
On this day 11 years ago, Derrick Rose became the youngest player to win the MVP award in NBA history at just 22-years-old.
During his MVP campaign, Rose averaged 25.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game in 81 games for the Chicago Bulls, helping lead them to a league-best 62-20 record and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, before ultimately falling to LeBron James and the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals.
On this day in 2011, Derrick Rose became the youngest MVP in NBA history 🌹pic.twitter.com/2x0H1MmLq4
— ESPN (@espn) May 3, 2022
Rose, born and raised in Chicago, was one of their own and quickly became a fan favorite in the United Center and across the world. The level of athleticism and explosion from a guard like D-Rose was something the league hadn’t seen before. His gravity defining dunks made him a staple in the league and on highlight reels before injuries took a toll on his career just a year after winning the MVP.
Following tearing his ACL in the first round of the 2012 playoffs, Rose struggled to find himself again on the floor and reach that level of stardom. In three seasons with the Bulls following the initial injury, Rose averaged 16.9 points per game as his athleticism and shiftiness wasn’t anywhere close to his peak.
Since his tenure with the Bulls ended after the 2015-16 season, Rose has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Detroit Pistons, and the New York Knicks, where he currently is under contract.
Despite the fall from stardom, Rose’s MVP season will forever live on in NBA history.
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