Derrick Rose #4 of the New York Knicks celebrates with RJ Barrett #9 during the second half while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on February 28, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images/AFP
Guard Derrick Rose confirmed he had COVID-19 prior to returning to the New York Knicks on Monday.
Although Rose is no longer in the league’s health and safety protocols, he underscored the severity of the virus.
“The COVID thing, I know a lot of people overlook it but it’s very serious. It’s real,” Rose told reporters on Monday.
“I had the flu. It’s nothing like the flu. … It was that times 10.”
Rose, 32, last played with the Knicks on Feb. 28. He is averaging 12.5 points and 4.9 assists in 10 games (three starts) with New York since coming over from the Detroit Pistons last month.
Rose is averaging 18.6 points and 5.5 assists in 621 career games (507 starts) with the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Pistons and Knicks. He was the top overall pick of the 2008 NBA Draft by the Bulls and the league MVP following the 2010-11 season.