Derrick Rose Launches College Scholarship Program

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Houston Rockets v Minnesota Timberwolves - Game Three

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And they just told us to shut up and dribble…

LeBron James has refused to let basketball limit him or keep him from talking about social issues that affect his communities. Thankfully though, he isn’t the only basketball star aiming to make a difference.

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Derrick Rose started a college scholarship program which will award more than $400,000 in tuition money. The program, dubbed Rose Scholars is what Rose refers to as giving “high school students the opportunity they need to make their dreams a reality.”

According to a press release, the 29-year-old player’s efforts will focus on “students who are civically minded and demonstrate a willingness to lead.”

“I hope to provide students a path to college that was not previously available to them,” Rose said. The program’s details on Rose’s site states that it will be offered for high school sophomore, junior, and senior students. The grand prize winner gets up to $200,000, which will be paid out over the course of 4 years and $25,00 per semester, and two smaller winners gifted $20,000.

The application deadline is September 30 and allows people to apply for themselves or for someone else.

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Rose’s career has seen a resurgence as of late. Last season, Rose played for the Cleveland Cavaliers before being part of a three-team trade that sent him to the Utah Jazz but he was waived soon after. Luckily, he’d take get picked up by the Minnesota Timberwolves where he’d be reunited with Tom Thibodeau, Jimmy Butler, and Taj Gibson from his days with the Bulls where he’d prospered. He’s since resigned with the T-Wolves and after averaging 14 points in the playoffs, he’s definitely hit his stride again.

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