Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Derrick Rose has put on some memorable performances in his NBA career, but his favorite basketball game ever is from his high school days.

Derrick Rose, the youngest MVP in NBA history, played his high school ball at Simeon Career Academy in Chicago, Illinois. He wore No. 25 in honor of Ben “Benji” Wilson, a former promising Chicago player who was murdered by a gang member during his senior year in 1984.

During Rose's junior year in 2006, the Simeon Wolverines played in the Class AA state championship game against Richwoods High School. The score was knotted at 29-29 in overtime. That's when the legend of D-Rose in Chicago was born.

Derrick Rose stole the ball and buried the game-winning jumper with 1.5 seconds remaining, giving Simeon its first state title since 1984. To this day, that is Rose's favorite basketball game he's ever played in, via Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times:

Article Continues Below
More Timberwolves News
Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly answers questions at a press conference to introduce the 2022 draft picks at Target Center.
3 players Minnesota Timberwolves must avoid in 2025 NBA DraftRohan Brahmbhatt ·
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) holds onto the ball next to Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) in the third quarter during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Chase Center.
3 best players Minnesota Timberwolves must re-sign in 2025 NBA free agencyRohan Brahmbhatt ·
Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) practices
Timberwolves president’s bold Anthony Edwards prediction after WCF eliminationJedd Pagaduan ·
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) during the second half at Footprint Center.
Did Timberwolves’ Tim Connelly drop hint at potential Kevin Durant trade?Malik Brown ·
Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly answers questions at a press conference to introduce the 2022 draft picks at Target Center.
Tim Connelly confirms Timberwolves future despite potential departure rumorsTroy Finnegan ·
timberwolves, anthony edwards, kevin durant, timberwolves trade
3 trades Minnesota Timberwolves must make to win 2026 NBA title with Anthony EdwardsGarrett Kerman ·

“Best game I’ve ever played? That’s a hard one, bro,” Rose said. “I would have to say my first championship game, the [Illinois] state championship. It was a low-scoring game. It was like 34-32 (31-29 actually). It was just a grimy game. They played zone all game. I was a junior at the time and everybody that was an upperclassman, that were seniors, we wanted to win it for them because we knew we’d have a better chance to win it the next year. We wanted them to go out with a bang. And, I hit the shot. A game-winner. Buzzer-beater. That was a big moment.”

Derrick Rose won a state championship during his senior year as well. Simeon became the first Chicago Public League school to win two-straight state championships. Rose played one year of college basketball at Memphis before being selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft by his hometown Chicago Bulls.

The most points Rose has scored during a regular-season NBA game is 42. He did it once against the San Antonio Spurs during the 2010-11 season and another time versus the Indiana Pacers in 2011. Rose also scored 44 points against the Atlanta Hawks during the 2011 playoffs.

However, that first title at Simeon will always be Rose's favorite basketball memory.