Hooped Up

“I started playing basketball ever since probably, what? Four, three or four and ever since then I just like, always loved the game. When I was growing up my biggest thing was just getting to the league. I wasn’t thinking about shoe deals, or a gym shoe, or anything. I really saw what hard work can do for someone’s life.

My biggest fight right now, I would have to say, is just stayin’ focused. Being patient because I’m impatient. If you think about it I never stop this is the only time in my life where I actually stopped playing basketball. Even in high school I was always going. Then thinking I was going to be able to play in the Olympics this year, it just killed my dreams.

This injury gives me time to appreciate the people that’s around me. Be grateful for what I have. Just live life. I’m 23 but I’ve been in the league since I was 19 so just doing what you suppose to do, that’s all you have to do.

Hard work pays off and I seen it actually pay off the year that I won MVP. I worked extremely hard so I know that all this stuff is going to pay off one day. It’s challenging, I’m just trying not to stop.” – Derrick Rose