Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose

Guard

Memphis Tigers

6-4

195

Freshman

Do a little research on Derrick Rose and you'll see the word "throwback" used with great regularity. At the high school and college level, guards with Rose's immense talent often become obsessed with scoring. High school all-star games are notorious for the general lack of passing and the way lead guards will dominate the ball (and, by extension, the stat sheets).

Rose, on the other hand, has displayed remarkable maturity and willingness to play within his team's system. For example - Rose led his high school, Chicago's Simeon Career Academy - to its second straight Illinois Class AA championship in 2006-07. The unquestioned star of the team and a top-five ranked college prospect, Rose scored just two points in the title game… but handed out eight assists and grabbed seven rebounds.

In his first seven games at Memphis, Rose has displayed the same sort of leadership, playing a large part in the Tigers' undefeated record and surge to the second spot in the AP Top 25. He has scored when necessary - 24 points in an 81-70 win over Connecticut - and contributed in other ways when needed - 10 boards, four assists, three steals in a 62-58 win over OJ Mayo and USC in the Jimmy V. Classic at Madison Square Garden. On the season, he's averaging 15.9 points, 4.3 assists, 5.7 boards and 1.3 steals.

Pass-first point guards of Rose's size (6'4", 195) and skill are always in high demand in the NBA. NBADraft.net projects Rose as the second overall pick in next summer's draft.