"That smile means the world to me": Growing up fatherless, Derrick Rose explains why he gives his all to be the dad he never had

Derrick Rose dazzled fans for years with his explosive speed and gravity-defying plays. But his most meaningful role has nothing to do with basketball—it’s about being a father. Growing up in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood without a father figure, Rose faced obstacles that could have derailed his dreams. Instead, he turned that absence into motivation, vowing to be the kind of dad he never had.From the moment he picked up a basketball, Derrick Rose was on a mission to become something greater than his circumstances.But his drive wasn’t just about making it to the NBA. "My dad wasn’t around at all. I took it as motivation where it’s like I’mma smash everything that he even wanted to dream about," Rose once revealed. For years, he held onto the belief that his father might be out there, watching his rise to stardom. The painful truth eventually surfaced—his father, Walker, had passed away long ago.That revelation didn’t slow him down. Instead, it fueled his legendary work ethic, pushing him to become the youngest MVP in NBA history. But as time went on, his priorities shifted. The game that once defined him took a backseat to something far more important—his family.As the 2024-25 NBA season approached, Rose made a decision that surprised many: he was stepping away from the game to dedicate himself fully to his children. "I’ve been thinking about it for a while, and I feel like I need to fully dedicate myself to my son now," he shared. His five-year-old son, London, initially struggled with the news. "He was very sad," Rose admitted. But as they embraced this new chapter, father and son grew even closer. "From that moment on, it has been all love."Rose’s commitment to fatherhood was on full display on March 29, 2025, when he was given the honor of throwing the ceremonial first pitch at the Chicago White Sox’s opening game against the LA Angels. But this wasn’t just about baseball—it was a family affair. With London gripping his hand, Rose stepped onto the mound at Guaranteed Rate Field, the crowd cheering as he delivered the pitch. His wife, Alaina Anderson, and their seven-year-old daughter, Layla, beamed from the stands, capturing the moment on their phones. It was a full-circle experience for the Chicago native—this time, not as an NBA star, but as a father making memories with his children.During the post-game press conference, London sat comfortably in his father’s arms as Rose reflected on the moment. Later, he shared a touching Instagram post: "That smile means the WORLD to me. Me not having my dad around makes me go ALL in with my kids. I wish I would’ve met my dad. We would’ve laughed about how I crush everything he did as a MAN lol."Rose isn’t just present in his children’s lives—he’s leading by example. Speaking on the Club 520 Podcast, he explained what fatherhood means to him. "My kids call me dad; I love when they call me dad. Not ‘father’—that doesn’t sound right to me," he said. "It’s about the time that I’m putting in, giving every one of my kids that equal time."His eldest son, PJ Rose, has begun carving out his own basketball journey, but Rose makes it clear that there’s no pressure. "You’re your own person; you are PJ Rose; you are your own entity," he tells him, emphasizing that his son doesn’t have to live in his shadow.Discipline and structure are just as important to Rose as encouragement. "I have to be a little bit more strict on [PJ] as far as making sure he gets up on time for school, taking out the garbage—all little chore stuff. But it creates your character, you know what I’m saying?" He wants his children to grow up with values, understanding that success isn’t just about talent but also about discipline, resilience, and responsibility.Also Read: “Can’t ask for a better birthday weekend”: Ayesha Curry shares her heartfelt reaction to yacht party and Stephen Curry’s touching tributeDerrick Rose’s basketball legacy is set in stone, but his most meaningful accomplishment has nothing to do with stats or accolades. It’s about breaking the cycle of absence and making sure his kids never experience the loneliness he once did. From a childhood without a father to becoming a hands-on dad, Rose has rewritten his own story. His time in the NBA may be over, but in the game of life, he’s still delivering clutch performances—this time, as a father first.