Jalen Rose Biography Jalen Rose biography Jalen Rose "The Natural", born and raised in Detroit, MI, is one of the NBA’s most naturally versatile performers and scorers in the league. Dubbed "The Natural", for his ability to play any position at 6’8, his agility and poise have ranged from point guard, shooting guard to small forward within his ten years in the league, which is only a fraction of his persona.
Jalen has always had a deep passion for the sport, so deep that he and his childhood friends made their own "arena" composed of scrap lumber, bricks and milk crates under the alley streetlights of Detroit. That determination and passion follows him through his career. Jalen has performed on the highest levels in high school, college and professionally. At Southwestern High School, he was coached by the legendary Perry Watson and assisted in leading the team to win two state championships.
Jalen’s college career at The University of Michigan is one that revolutionized the sport. There, Jalen assisted in leading the Wolverines to be one of the best freshman classes in NCAA history, going to the NCAA Championships twice. Black socks, sneaks and baggy shorts, is not the only thing that made the "Fab Five" so original, they had the talent to match, not just rebels without a cause. Excelling both on and off the court in college, Jalen majored in Mass Communications, focusing in radio, television and film. He set the freshman scoring record pouring in 597 points, is one of two players in the colleges’ history to have recorded 1,500 points, 400 rebounds and 100 assists along with being named All-Big Ten First Team and the Associated Press All-American Second Team.
Jalen’s NBA career began as a first round draft pick to the Denver Nuggets in 1994. In 1996, he was traded to the Indiana Pacers, where he was coached by NBA Legend, Larry Bird. During the 1999-2000 season, he led the Pacers in scoring, steals and was the leading scorer during the NBA finals. In the spring of 2002, Jalen was traded to the Chicago Bulls where he won numerous community service awards as well as Bulls Player of the Year accolades for the 2002-03 season. At the beginning of December of the 2003-04 season, Jalen was traded to the Toronto Raptors where he currently plays.
Jalen has an affluent role as a franchise player, team leader and philanthropist both on and off the court. He sponsors a charity ticket section at the Raptors home games, sincerely named "The Rose Garden", as well as has committed to assisting various charities, by donating $50 for every assist he makes during the season. He is a consistent participant of the NBA and Raptors All-Star Reading Team and hosted The Jalen Rose Foundation All-Star Celebrity Weekend his two summers in Chicago to raise funds for local charities. During the off-season, he donates his time pooling resources that are much needed for children in his home and NBA communities. "I enjoy giving my time assisting those sincerely in need making every minute count, both on and off the court."
Source: JalenRose.com
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