University of Memphis Athletics
Former Tigers Standout Derrick Rose Named NBA MVP
May 04, 2011 | Men's Basketball
May 4, 2011
CHICAGO, Ill. - University of Memphis basketball continues to make history for the 2010-11 season. On Tuesday, former standout Derrick Rose was named the 2010-11 NBA Most Valuable Player, making him the first Tiger in school history to receive the league's top accolade. On Wednesday, the 6-foot-3 guard will be presented the award prior to the Chicago-Atlanta Eastern Conference Semifinal Game 2 at the United Center.
At 22-years-old, Rose is the youngest to take home the NBA MVP award. The previous youngest NBA MVP was Wes Unseld of the Baltimore Bullets. He earned the accolade at 23-years-old in the 1968-69 NBA season.
During the 2010-11 regular season, Rose averaged 25.0 points, 7.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds in helping lead the Bulls to a 62-20 record, the best mark in the NBA, and the top overall seed in the league's playoffs. Rose also shot 44.5 percent from the field and 85.8 percent from the free throw line.
In late summer of 2010, the Chicago, Ill., native helped lead Team USA to the FIBA World Championships title (9-0 record) in Turkey. Rose started all nine games and averaged 7.2 points, 3.2 assists and 2.1 rebounds for Team USA.
A two-time NBA All-Star pick in 2010 and 2011, Rose was named the 2008-09 NBA Rookie of the Year and also earned NBA All-Rookie first team honors that same season. Rose, the No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, won the Skills Challenge at the 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend.
In his only year as a Tiger in 2007-08, Rose helped lead Memphis to a 38-2 overall record and an NCAA Tournament championship game appearance. A consensus Freshman All-America Team pick, Rose averaged 14.9 points, 4.7 assists and 4.5 rebounds while wearing the Blue and Gray.
