ROSE, JUST 22, BLOOMS INTO NBA MVP
Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls has been confirmed as the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, becoming the youngest player in league history to win the award.
The point guard – aged just 22 – is the second Bulls player to win the MVP honour after Michael Jordan, a five-time recipient.
The USA International point guard led the Bulls to their best season since the Jordan-Scottie Pippen championship era, securing the best record in the regular season of 62-20.
A local native, Rose established himself as one of the top players in the league after going from Rookie of the Year to an All-Star in his first two seasons as a professional.
He averaged 25 points and 7.7 assists this year while leading Chicago into championship contention, enough to supplant LeBron James, the winner in 2009 and 2010, as the NBA's MVP.
"We're all happy," said his team-mate Luol Deng. "We're all excited. Not just how good he is on the court, but he's just a great kid. He deserves it. Just what he did this year and the effort he put into it.
“Like I said before, whenever one of us wins it's just really a good feeling. We all feel great. As good as he is, you just feel like you did something. We're just so happy for him."
Earlier this week, Tom Thibodeau was named as the NBA’s Coach of the Year in his first season in charge of the Bulls.
Rose is the cherry on top.
"Derrick had an outstanding season for us, and we would not be where we are today without him. Very few players have the work ethic and dedication that he has for the game of basketball," said Chicago Bulls General Manager Gar Forman.
"He is a terrific example for not only the Chicago Bulls, but also for the NBA. We are very pleased that Chicago’s MVP is the NBA’s MVP."
Rose collected 113 out of a possible 121 first-place votes from selected media, and he became the first player since Steve Nash in 2005 to win the MVP award after not receiving any votes the previous year. He also is the 10th player in NBA history to win the award within his first three seasons in the league
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