CHAMPAIGN – Reggie Rose said Friday night that Illinois is now involved in a three-horse race for the services of his brother, Chicago Simeon point guard Derrick Rose.
But the big brother of the senior star stopped short of handicapping a field that also includes Memphis and Indiana.
Illinois’ Orange & Blue scrimmage was played out on the Assembly Hall court Friday night, but the center of attention was clearly Derrick and Reggie Rose, who sat in the front row of the bleachers under a basket. They were constantly serenaded by the Orange Krush student cheering section, which wasted little time launching into a chorus of “We want Derrick!”
His appearance here came as a surprise this week, considering that his five “finalists” announced in August included Memphis, Indiana, Kansas, DePaul and UCLA.
Since then, however, Kansas, DePaul and UCLA have been eliminated and the Illini have emerged as a late consideration.
“I’m honest with my word and when we came out with the list, that was the list,” said Reggie Rose, who serves as his brother’s spokesman and recruiting advisor. “We took trips and everything and looked at our options. Then we said, “Let’s take another visit to Illinois, just to take a second look.’
“Sometimes you think the grass is greener on the other side, but when you take that look you say, ‘Oh, it ain’t like we think. So let’s go take another look.’”
So is Illinois officially back on the list?
“If Illinois wasn’t on the list, we wouldn’t even be down here,” said Reggie Rose, who indicated they planned to visit with Illini coach Bruce Weber later Friday night, then observe the team’s practice tomorrow morning.
And while Derrick Rose’s decision remains uncertain, Reggie Rose said an invitation-only press conference already has been scheduled to announce it.
“It will be Saturday, Nov. 4 at the Martinique Boutique at 82nd and Cicero in Burbank,” he said, setting the deadline.
The NCAA’s fall signing period begins on Nov. 8.
For what it’s worth, Derrick Rose wore an orange shirt and blue and orange patent leather shoes. Seated on either side of the Rose brothers were former Illini great Kenny Battle and another Simeon guard who played at Illinois, Bryant Notree.
When the Illini team came out to begin the intrasquad scrimmage, each player filed by and shook hands with Derrick Rose and, to a lesser degree, other recruits in attendance including Decatur Eisenhower’s Lewis Jackson and Jarod Oldham.
Reggie Rose was asked if Eric Gordon’s recent decision to switch his commitment from Illinois to Indiana in any way impacted the move to involve Illinois at this late time.
“It plays a role, then again it doesn’t,” Reggie Rose said. “When I grabbed Eric to play on my AAU team this summer, the way they played together was scary. It’s really up to them if they want to play together or not… But sometimes you have to be selfish, also.”
Mark Tupper:
Rose visits, but mystery remainsChicago Simeon High School senior Derrick Rose attended tonight's Orange and Blue Scrimmage at the Assembly Hall. Rose, ranked the No. 1 point guard in the nation by at least one recruiting service, sat courtside with a group of recruits and his brother, Reggie Rose.
Reggie, who has handled Derrick's recruitment, addressed the purpose of the unofficial visit after the scrimmage.
"The decision that he's going to make, it's not like you’re just going to a candy machine and just picking out some type of candy. It’s a life decision," Reggie Rose said. "Before we just make a decision, we just have to make sure it’s going to be the right decision. That was the main thing about coming back down and taking a look.
"And also, I respect the fact that Illinois is a great program and they've got tradition and everything," Reggie Rose continued. "You know, what can you say about going to take a second look at your state school?"
Derrick Rose politely declined an interview request. Initially, the plan was for the Rose camp to return home after the scrimmage. Reggie Rose said they will stay overnight, instead.
He also revealed that the Rose camp will make a public announcement on Derrick Rose's school of choice Nov. 4. Reggie Rose said the list includes three schools, and there will be no more visits.
"Right now (it’s) between Illinois, Indiana and Memphis," Reggie Rose said.
Paul Klee:
Derrick Rose at Assembly Hall
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