In The Spotlight

Derrick Rose is proof that you can always go home again. A two-time state champion at Simeon Career Academy, this electrifying point guard returned to the Windy City in 2008 when he was picked first in the NBA draft by the Bulls. He has since led Chicago to back-to-back playoffs and has the team on the brink of its finest season in years. “I'm from Chicago, so it would mean a lot if I would just bring back one championship here,” he says. “It would mean so much to this city. I want to be that guy. I want to be that guy that does that.” Learn more about Rose by clicking here.

In The Spotlight

Expectations are at an all-time high in Washington, where the Wizards are banking on newly acquired point guard John Wall to lead them to the playoffs during his first year in the league. It’s a tall task, but one this high-flying rookie feels confident he can accomplish. "I'm a franchise guy that they can start over and rebuild with -- and then add more pieces to it," Wall says. "We got a chance to be good." Learn more about Wall by clicking here.

Question of the Week

Lawrence, Chaska, MN
Subj: Feeling a draft
How many times has the top pick in the NBA draft won the rookie of the year award?

Superb question, Lawrence! It may surprise you to learn the first overall pick has won the award only 17 times in the 56 years the league has honored its Rookie of the Year. Although most of the winners have been top five picks, a number of ballers have come out of nowhere to capture the award including Mark Jackson, who was selected 18th overall in 1987, Jamaal Wilkes, who was taken with the 11th pick in 1974 and Terry Dischinger, who was snatched up 10th overall in 1962. However, I suspect those anomalies are things of the past. Today’s rigorous scouting methods as well as the NBA’s new age restriction make it unlikely we’ll ever see a low draft pick win the award again.