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CHATHAM — Hundreds of Derrick Rose fans packed the Simeon Career Academy gym Friday night to watch the Bulls Legend play again at his high school with his son alongside him.
The game at the school, 8147 S. Vincennes Ave., came before the Saturday night Bulls game dedicated to Rose. It featured the basketball star playing along with his son Derrick “PJ” Rose Jr., Simeon alumni, friends and the current Simeon varsity boys basketball team. Breaks between quarters included skills challenges, dance contests and other activities highlighting talented Simeon grads.
The bleachers were at capacity before the game started, with lines running outside the school and fans filling the balcony. The front row included notable people from Rose’s life and career as a Bull, including former teammates Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Tony Snell and Brad Miller. Simeon graduate and current Bull Talen Horton-Tucker was also in attendance alongside team mascot Benny the Bull.
“Tonight represents family,” said Simeon principal Tamarah Ellis, who graduated from the school in 1989 and was Rose’s athletic director from 2003 to 2006. “It’s for Derrick to be able to remember where he came from and give back…give the kids something to dream of.”
Rose entered the gym to the roar of fans eager to see their hometown hero take the floor again. Custom jerseys with a rose emblem were worn by both team Rose and team Pooh (Rose’s childhood nickname).
“His legacy reminds us of the power of resilience,” Ald. William Hall (6th) said. “Derrick Rose reminds us that we should never give up and this is our time. Today is the beginning of the next generation seeing what greatness looks like.”
Almost immediately, Rose and his son were scoring points. The 12-year-old flanked his father and dished assists while scoring himself.
“It’s fun to see them [Rose and PJ] play together,” said Simeon senior Da’Mya Hall. “It’s a blessing to be able to come to Simeon where playing gives people an opportunity to be big in the NBA.”
Mike Ajayi has been a fan of Rose since he was a child and was excited to see him playing with his son.
“I’m a dad myself, so being able to see a dad play with his son and see flashes of himself was a special moment,” Ajayi said.
At halftime, Rose and other hosts honored the 1984 Simeon men’s state championship team, the first for the school and included junior rising star Ben Wilson who was murdered on the opening day of his senior season. In 1989, the school’s Ben Wilson Gymnasium opened in dedication to Wilson. At Friday’s halftime ceremony Wilson’s brother Jeffrey accepted a golden ball on his behalf.
The game concluded with a free throw from Rose to break a 24-24 tie between teams, celebrated with a roar of applause from the crowd. In his remarks following the game, Rose thanked his fans at Simeon for supporting him throughout his career highs and lows.
“Real friends are like stars, you only see them in the dark,” said Rose, quoting singer Bob Marley. “I appreciate the gratitude and support for all of these years…going through those hard times you can feel alone.”
As fans left the game, they received a free copy of Rose’s special issue of SLAM magazine ahead of Saturday’s Derrick Rose night and retirement celebration at the United Center. Saturday morning, the Chicago Bulls announced that Rose’s No. 1 jersey would be retired.
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