Chicago Bulls icon Derrick Rose gave back to his fan base on Thursday, hosting a pop-up flower shop and meet-and-greet in downtown Chicago. Following the community event, Miami Heat legend and fellow Chicago native Dwyane Wade commended Rose’s impact on their hometown.
Rose’s pop-up flower shop reportedly attracted a line of hundreds of fans wrapped around the block. According to Adidas, the four-hour outreach allowed the 2011 MVP’s supporters to send free roses to those who have “impacted their journey.”
However, the opportunity to meet Rose and snap a photo with him was likely the key selling point for Chicagoans.
•
Drafted No. 1 by Chicago in the 2008 NBA draft, Rose left a lasting impression on the city during his seven-year Bulls tenure. His electric, high-flying playstyle, relatability — hailing from Chicago’s South Side — and his investments in local communities cemented him as a hometown hero.
On Thursday, Slam posted photos of Rose’s latest downtown Chicago community initiative on Instagram. The three-time All-Star was all smiles as he sported a florist apron.
Wade shared the post to his Instagram stories, celebrating the $90 million (via Celebrity Net Worth) legend’s legacy in his caption.
“In Chicago, we have our very own GOATs, and D-Rose, to me, is the GOAT of our city!” Wade wrote.
While Wade never played alongside peak Rose in Chicago, the duo briefly teamed up on the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2017-18 NBA season. Wade also suited up for the Bulls during the 2016-17 campaign, where he likely got to experience Rose’s influence on the city firsthand.
Derrick Rose posts tribute to Chicago amid pop-up flower shop outreach
On Thursday, Derrick Rose also took to Instagram to share some snaps of his pop-up flower shop. In his caption, the Chicago native reflected on striving for “greatness” during his upbringing.
“We all know you don’t have to prove nothing to anybody but yourself, but what if you grow up in an environment that you have to prove yourself in order to be considered great? Chicago is that place,” Rose wrote.
“Yes, you don’t have to prove s**t to anyone, but it’s nothing like getting that head nod from an OG or that look when people see and feel that you’re chasing greatness.”
Rose is set to be honored by the Bulls during Saturday’s home matchup against the New York Knicks. Per NBA.com, the evening, dubbed “Derrick Rose Night,” will pay homage to the recently retired guard’s “memorable career and contributions to the Bulls and the city of Chicago.”
Edited by Tristan Rawcliffe
