During a mental health event on Thursday in his hometown of Chicago, Detroit Pistons point guard Derrick Rose delivered a message to his 16-year-old self.
Rose, who grew up in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Chicago, says he would change what he prayed for as a kid, via Eric Woodyard of ESPN:
“I would say, ‘Watch what you pray for,' because when I was younger, my goals used to be crazy, but at the same time, the older I got, I wasn't ready for it,” Rose said. “I knew I wasn't ready for a goal like that. I wasn't ready for a championship. I knew I wasn't ready because I used to say to myself numerous times like when I go out in public now, I can barely go places. So, what happened if I did win a championship? How would that be? How would I be boxed in even more? How would I live and have to move around?
“I hate living with boundaries. It kills me when I go on vacation and I just know people are chilling there as a dentist or somebody with a regular job,” he continued. “They're able to live the life to just walk around freely, and I'm jealous of that, because deep down I want that, but I can't have it, so be careful for what you pray for because you'll never know how it'll turn out.”
Everyone is happy that Rose was able to make it out of Englewood and carve out a brilliant NBA career. He became the youngest MVP in NBA history with the Chicago Bulls during the 2010-11 season, all while becoming a three-time All-Star and a Rookie of the Year.
While time has not been kind to him, particularly with the series of injuries he has encountered, Rose never gave up on basketball and continued to inspire his fans and his fellow Chicago natives.
Now 31, Rose has career NBA averages of 18.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 5.6 assists. He signed with the Pistons last summer on a two-year, $15 million deal.
Rose was the subject of trade rumors heading to the Feb. 6 trade deadline, but the Pistons decided to keep him since they see him as a great leader for the team.
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