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Derrick Rose pointed to past teammates like Rip Hamilton, Kurt Thomas and Kirk Hinrich as players that helped show him the ropes as a rookie. Now, Rose is taking on that responsibility this season with the Detroit Pistons and rookie Killian Hayes.
The 12-year veteran has embraced the mentor role with open arms and wants to instill his wisdom in the Pistons’ younger players. Players of Rose’s caliber may not necessarily welcome that role, especially with a player that is viewed as the future, but Rose is up for the job.
Rose took on more of a backseat role in that department last season, his first with the Pistons. He felt as though it would have been out of turn to come into a new environment and immediately assume that role but he is ready to groom Hayes this season.
“I love his game. It’s an honor to play with a talent like that,” Rose said Saturday on a Zoom call with reporters. “I look at the league and for me being 6-foot-3, I’m kinda like a dinosaur when you look at all the guards in the league. You have to be at least 6-foot-5 and up. I already talked to him and told him he is the future of the team and there is no competing. My job here is to push him and groom him to be a great player.”
Hayes, who was the seventh overall pick, averaged 11.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.4 steals in 20 games last season with ratiopharm Ulm in Germany. He also has prior experience with Cholet and was the MVP of the U16 European Champion in 2017 with France.
Rose mentioned that Hayes might have a bit of a target on his back this season after arriving in the NBA from overseas. He is going to help during practice to prepare him for the season.
“I have to get on him in practice as much as possible,” Rose said. “In the game, he’s a kid and coming from overseas guys are going to try to play aggressive with him. So, it’s my job to play aggressive on him throughout this whole camp, so that when we get into a regular game, he doesn’t feel that much pressure.”
Hayes currently projects to be the Pistons’ starting point guard with Rose likely coming off of the bench. Pistons head coach Dwane Casey likes his prior professional experience and believes that will help him pick up the offense quickly.
The 19-year-old figures to be among the frontrunners for the Rookie of the Year award given his experience and projected role with the Pistons. He has already started to impress his teammates and could be in store for a big year.
Detroit begins preseason play on Dec. 11 vs. the New York Knicks.
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