So, almost everyone that watches basketball knows that Derrick Rose is the NBA MVP. One thing that they may not know is that he is the youngest MVP to ever play the game.

     At age 22, people were stunned that Rose had such a great season. What is even more impressive is that he did not receive a single vote for MVP last season and won in a landslide this year. But the most captivating piece of the story may be Rose’s history with the city before his impressive start in the NBA.

     Rose grew up in Chicago, Illinois, and went to Simeon Career Academy, where he didn’t even start on the basketball team his freshman season. But Rose was dedicated, and quickly turned the tables to actually improve his play when he was moved up to the varsity squad in his second year.

     Rose was getting the attention of colleges around the country, and in his junior season, Rose led his team to the Class AA championship game, and hit the buzzer-beater winning shot. In his senior season he had no problem doing it again, and he even helped the team defeat the number one team in the country, Oak Hill Academy, on national television. He went on to lead his team to back-to-back state championships. His overall high school record was an outstanding 120-12, and he was named fifth among college prospects.

     The stars were lined up for the Chicago star to come back to his home town in the 2008 draft. The Bulls had the number one overall draft pick, and Rose was quickly taken and brought back home. He did not disappoint.

     After Rose’s first NBA season, he won leagues annual Rookie of the Year award, and he was selected to go to the All-Star game in only his second year. Rose was just in his third season when he won the NBA MVP award, and not many Bulls fans would argue that he may just be the greatest thing to represent this town since Michael Jordan- and that is saying something.

     In Rose’s acceptance speech, he was one of the only players to ever actually “thank” his mom. He said that he feels blessed to be a part of that family, and to be able to blow a kiss to her before every game.

     Most of Rose’s teammates came to the ceremony to support Rose, as well.

     “We play tomorrow," Rose said at one point in his speech, "and they could easily be doing something else or taking care of business, but they're here giving me support. I'm blessed to be on this team."

Source: ESPN.com, derrickrosemvp.com