Derrick Rose is preparing to make his long-awaited return to basketball after sitting out an entire NBA season after suffering a torn ACL. While Rose says he intends on starting in the Chicago Bulls' first preseason game, many are speculating if his return could happen sooner. As his brother, Reggie, has deemed Rose "ready to go", could Team USA basketball soon be in his future?
There is still a strong possibility that Rose can be a lock to make the roster for Team USA's Basketball World Cup which takes place next summer in Spain. He is not participating in the current mini-camp happening in Las Vegas, but team spokesman Jerry Colangelo is not ruling him out.
"He's on the way back. It's something we just have to wait and see how he progresses," Colangelo said. "First of all, he qualifies in a lot of ways. He knows our system. He's been part of USA Basketball. He's a terrific guy. He's a great competitor. Now we have to wait and see what he looks like. How quickly does he get back to that level, and then it's going to be up to him as to whether he wants to be with us next summer."
As of now, the USA roster is loaded at the point guard position. Mike Conley, Jrue Holiday, Kyrie Irving, Ty Lawson, Damian Lillard, Kemba Walker and John Wall all highlight the position group. Many have considered Irving a lock to make the team.
Rose has deemed himself healthy and ready to play. Both Reggie Rose and head coach Tom Thibodeau have echoed that statement saying Rose looks back to his old self.
"Looking at his body, he's really strong. The only thing he has to work on is cardio and getting in game shape. But that will come (in training camp). I have no concerns about him physically," Reggie Rose said.
Reggie Rose said that his brother expected to receiver backlash for sitting the entire season, but ultimately a long-term career is the goal and rushing back could have hindered that. Derrick Rose understands that fans wanted him back on the court, but he believed in this kind of situation, he needed to be selfish.
"I'm not a selfish guy at all, but having this injury and knowing what I had to go through and knowing that I had to be smart, this is something that I had to be selfish with," Rose said. "I couldn't worry about anyone else but myself and my health."
