Derrick Rose: Hong Kong’s culture & fans ‘Amazing’

Former NBA star Derrick Rose, who retired last year at 36, made a whirlwind visit to Hong Kong this week, delighting fans with a meet-and-greet session at Wan Chai’s Southorn Stadium on Thursday night. The event drew a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters eager to see the basketball icon.

Rose, known for his electrifying plays during his NBA career, expressed his admiration for Hong Kong’s culture, particularly its art scene.

“I bought a lot of great gifts and some really cool paintings that I’m going to hang in my office.”

This marked his second trip to the city, with his last visit being 12 years ago. “This experience has been incredible,” he added.

Inspiring the next generation

During the event, Rose spoke about his desire to mentor young athletes post-retirement. “I gave everything on the court and have no regrets, so now I want to pass on what I’ve learned to the next generation,” he said, emphasizing the importance of discipline in basketball.

Earlier in the day, he joined local fans for a training session, where he noted how fortunate Hong Kong’s youth are to have access to indoor courts.

“When I was young, I never had the chance to play indoors,” Rose remarked. “I hope the young people here cherish these opportunities and keep chasing their dreams.”

A touching moment came when a young fan presented Rose with a handmade rose, prompting a warm photo opportunity with the former MVP.

Family fun at Disneyland

Rose’s Hong Kong trip also included a surprise appearance at Chow Tai Fook’s Central concept store on Tuesday, where he drew crowds of excited onlookers. Later, he took his wife, daughter, and son to Hong Kong Disneyland for a family outing.

However, his eldest son missed the trip, and Rose made a playful promise: “We’ll do our best to bring you here in August or September,” meaning the basketball star could return to the city once again in the coming few months.

(Marco Lam)