Rose's busy summer takes charitable turn
Derrick Rose’s whirlwind summer schedule landed him in Otisfield, Maine on Monday. Rose was among a group of NBA players who hosted 162 kids at the seventh annual "Play for Peace" basketball clinic at the Seeds of Peace International Camp.
Rose, who was the top overall pick in the June draft, said he already has signed his rookie contract with the Bulls. The former Simeon and Memphis star guard also said the right knee tendinitis which cut short his Orlando summer-league stint to one game, did not hinder his play in Las Vegas last week as part of the practice squad for Team USA.
``It was fine,’’ Rose said. ``I had treatment every morning, so it didn’t bother me at all.’’
Rose has had little time at home since being drafted. He said he was headed back to Los Angeles, where he has been working out since April under the watchful eye of agent B.J. Armstrong, who helped organized the Peace clinic for teenagers from Israel, Palestine, Jordan and the United States.
``They know about basketball but, some of them, you can tell they’ve never really played,’’ Rose said of the kids from the Middle East. ``But it means a lot to give back. Especially from where I’m from, just to give kids hope, that’s the main thing.’’
Rose sounded weary from his hectic schedule and said he would look forward to a break before the Bulls start training camp in October.
``But I know it’s really not going to happen,’’ Rose said. ``So I just have to suck it up.’’