Quotes from Derrick Rose

In my era, where I'm from, I only had Donald Whiteside. He's from Englewood and he's the only one that came out of Englewood. Other than him, I really didn't have anyone else to look up to that was from my area. So in seeing him, I never gave up hope, just kept playing and then I realized that I might have a future in basketball.

To have a strong community of people who believe in your potential can make all the difference in the world. So many people have invested in me and I want to do the same for Chicago's teens.

Playing all of these games, getting to know everything about the NBA, you realize that you are your own business. You have business meetings to go to, signings to go to. Like, I'm only 20, but the stuff I'm doing the average 20-year-old isn't doing.

I believe that I'm a special player. I think people love the way I just try to play. I don't try to impress anyone when I'm playing or anything. I just have a feel for the game.

Hard work isn't enough. You got to believe

I have a lot of confidence in my shot and I'm willing to shoot it no matter what.

The way I dress, I dress totally different than I did when I was in college. I have to - try to - look professional. You change a lot when you are in the NBA, but I know where I came from.

I wont ever put myself in a bad position so that people can say bad things about me. I make smart decisions, and my friends and my family, they are all there for the right reason.

I still have goals. Seeing those doubters out there, it's gonna be funny seeing them eat their words.