Detroit Pistons point guard Derrick Rose initially accepted an invitation to participate in the Skills Challenge at the All-Star weekend in his hometown of Chicago.
However, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported on Wednesday that Rose is planning to drop out of the challenge, though a reason was not specified.
Pistons guard Derrick Rose plans to drop out of the Skills Challenge at NBA All-Star weekend in hometown of Chicago, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2020
Excitement had been building after Rose indicated he would partake in the festivities. The veteran had actually been in the running for an All-Star reserve spot, but he was not chosen as an Eastern Conference representative.
Of course, Rose has a reputation as a hometown hero in Chicago. He grew up in Englewood and starred at Simeon High School on the South Side, becoming one of the top prep prospects in the country. After a sensational freshman year at Memphis, Rose made the leap to the NBA.
As luck would have it, the Chicago Bulls won the 2008 NBA Draft Lottery against almost impossible odds, acquiring the rights to select Rose with the No. 1 overall pick.
Rose would win the NBA Rookie of the Year award before becoming the youngest MVP in league history during the 2010-11 campaign. Unfortunately, the explosive guard suffered a horrific ACL injury during the 2012 playoffs that hampered his career and the rest of his tenure in Windy City.
The Bulls traded Rose to the Knicks prior to the 2016-17 season, and he struggled to gain a foothold in the next few years. However, D-Rose bounced back with the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2018-19 season, eventually earning a two-year deal with the Pistons.
Rose has been a revelation in Detroit, averaging 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.5 rebounds while posting per-36 numbers very much in line with the production from his NBA season.
Fans will be disappointed to learn Derrick Rose is pulling out of the Skills Challenge, but the city of Chicago can revel in his newfound success.
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