Rose spent summer proving his worth
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Point guard
6-4, 185, Chicago Simeon
Rivals.com Rankings
Rivals150 for 2007: No. 3 overall
2007 point guards: No. 1
Career Stats
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color=#000000>Watch the latest highlights of Derrick Rose in action
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Outside of gyms in Las Vegas and the Riverview Park center in North Augusta, S.C., people just shook their heads. And if they didn't just watch Derrick Rose, they probably wouldn't believe the stories.
You better believe the stories. There are plenty to hear and they are all true.
Rose was one of the most talked about players this summer thanks to his dynamic play at the Nike Peach Jam and the Reebok Big Time tournament, the two biggest AAU events of the summer.
The nation's top point guard only willed his Mean Streets Express team to the Peach Jam title with a playoff performance that stacks up with the best all-time showings at the prestigious event.
In Sin City, he was downright devilish. Rose recorded a triple double against O.J. Mayo's D1 Greyhounds AAU team. The only team that eventually stopped Rose and Company was the 47-0 Southern California All-Stars and five-time tournament winners on the AAU circuit.
"If you would have told me what he did with that team, I wouldn't believe you if I didn't follow (AAU basketball)," says one Division I head coach. "Honestly, the only other guard that had that kind of impact in the game in the summer was Dwyane Wade."
Rose was that good. The floor general just wins games. He put his Chicago (Ill.) Simeon High School on his back and rode them to the state championship title last year. Odds are he will do it again this year.
Rivals.com National Basketball Recruiting Analyst Jerry Meyer said he hasn't seen a point guard as unique as Rose.
"In the four years that I've been actively scouting the top prep players in the country, Rose is the best point guard prospect I have seen," Meyer said. "He has all the skills a point guard needs, the best athleticism I've seen at the position and as good a winning mentality and sense of playmaking as any point guard prospect."
Rose, who visited Memphis for the Tigers' Midnight Madness festivities, is the must-get guy at the point for high-major programs for a reason. Meyer says his winning attitude and résumé will only grow at the college level.
"Playing in an up tempo style will certainly maximize what Rose can do for a college team. He can take a fast break attack up a couple gears, and if he has scorers around him, he will take their games up a couple notch," Meyer said. "He is an athletic catalyst at the point, who can make his teammates and his team fifty percent better once he steps on the court."
Unlike many of his Elite Team members, Rose is not committed to a program. Yet. Indiana, DePaul and Notre Dame are also in the mix.
Where he goes, there will be stories about his play. The stories could be told in April though after he helps lead his team to a National Championship.
Believe that.
Rivals.com is unveiling its preseason Elite Team for the Class of 2007. Comprised of the nation's top high school basketball stars, the Elite Team is broken down into position-specific first, second and third teams. These stars will soon be signing with the top college basketball programs en route to the NBA. We will announce one player each weekday from Oct. 2-20.