Derrick Rose- M.V.P

     "With the first pick, of the 2008 NBA draft, the Chicago Bulls select, Derrick Rose, from the University of Memphis".  That was the statement that changed Derrick Rose's life. 
     Derrick Rose was born October 4, 1988.  He started his basketball career at Simeon Career Academy high school.  Growing up on the south side of Chicago was very rough.  It was a huge struggle for his mother, Brenda Rose, and his three brothers Dwayne, Reggie, and Allan.  In high school, Derrick was a star player.  He was named Mr.Basketball for the state of Illinois in 2007 and in that same year, he was selected to play in the McDonald's All-American game, which features the best high school basketball players of that year.
     After high school, Derrick accepted a scholarship to the University of Memphis.  In college he averaged 15 points per game, 5 assists, and led the Tigers to the National Championship game before losing to the Kansas Jayhawks. 
     Once Derrick got to the NBA, he became a very good player in his first year. He averaged 17 points a game and led the Chicago Bulls to the NBA playoffs.  In the playoffs Rose really blossomed. His team went head to head with the Boston Celtics and the 7 game series was arguably the greatest playoff series of all time.  In that series Rose went head to head with another good point guard, Rajon Rondo.  It was like watching two lightning bolts on the court, they are both extremely fast!  The Celtics ended up winning the series and Derrick Rose was the rookie of the year, but he made a name for himself as one of the best point guards in the game of basketball.
     In his next season, it was obvious that Rose had improved a lot.  Because of that improvement Derrick Rose was named an NBA All-Star and led his Bulls team to the playoffs again.  But in the playoffs his team was knocked out of the first round by Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavilers.
     In his third season Rose came back strong. His statistics improved in almost every category. He led his team to the playoffs once again but this time, they were the best team in the NBA winning 62 out of the 82 games played. 
     His team is in the playoffs right now and Derrick probably has the best chance of winning the Most Valuable Player Award, which is given to the best player in the league.  It would be a great accomplishment if he got the award in just 3 years.  Hopefully Rose will bring a NBA championship back to the city of Chicago.
                  
                                                                                                         By: Malik Cameron

What motivates me to play basketball

Knowing the fact that I can be the best.
Knowing the fact that I have to keep my grades up.
Knowing the fact that I can make money playing the sport.
Knowing the fact that I can have good games or bad games.
Knowing the fact that my family is here to support me.
Also knowing the fact that ANYTHING can happen.