MANILA, Philippines — Former NBA MVP Derrick Rose returned to the Philippines this week for a two-day event in Cebu, where he will meet local basketball players and fans on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Rose, who is making his fifth visit to the country, arrived in Cebu for the “Rose Meets the Queen” tour.
“This is a new spot for me,” Rose said. “Coming here, finding out what the island is all about, see what the people are about so I can’t wait to enjoy all of it.”
Rose will begin the tour Tuesday with a private Champion’s Circle Appreciation Dinner for some of Cebu’s top basketball players.
His only public appearance will take place Wednesday at SM Seaside Cebu.
Rose last visited the Philippines in his role as a brand ambassador. His previous visits included his appearance in Manila during the 2011 NBA All-Star weekend.
Rose retired from professional basketball in 2024 after an 18-year NBA career that included stints with the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies.
The Bulls selected Rose as the first overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. He won the NBA Most Valuable Player award in the 2010-11 season at age 22, becoming the youngest player to receive the honor at the time.