The crowd erupted with familiar MVP chants as Derrick Rose stepped onto the field at Thursday’s White Sox season opener, but sneakerheads noticed something else entirely. While casual observers focused on his perfect strike from the mound, footwear enthusiasts couldn’t take their eyes off what Rose was wearing. The Chicago basketball icon gave fans an unexpected preview of the unreleased adidas Basketball x Fear of God Athletics Basketball II, a collaboration that won’t hit stores until December 2025.
The surprise reveal nobody saw coming
Chicago holds a special place in its heart for Rose, the hometown hero whose electrifying play earned him the youngest MVP award in NBA history back in 2011. His appearance at Rate Field for the White Sox season opener on Thursday, March 27th was already noteworthy, with fans showering him with affection as he donned a Number 1 White Sox jersey. But the decision to debut the highly anticipated Fear of God collaboration turned a nostalgic moment into a major sneaker world event.
The unreleased shoes represent one of the most anticipated footwear collaborations of 2025, bringing together adidas Basketball’s performance technology with Fear of God’s distinctive aesthetic vision. While neither brand had officially announced a release date, Rose’s on-field appearance effectively broke the news that these coveted shoes will drop in December 2025.
Fashion insiders have long speculated about this follow-up collaboration, but concrete details remained tightly guarded until Rose’s surprise reveal. The basketball legend’s choice to debut them at a baseball game rather than a more predictable basketball event added to the unexpected nature of the moment.
The family moment that stole hearts
While sneaker enthusiasts focused on Rose’s footwear, the day carried deeper meaning for the retired NBA star. Rose brought his young son London, born in 2019, to share in the experience. After delivering his own strike from the mound, Rose watched proudly as London stepped up to throw a pitch of his own, creating a touching father-son moment that transcended sports.
Rose embraced his role as a father throughout the appearance, holding London while speaking with reporters afterward. When asked about his son’s potential athletic future, Rose expressed the perspective of a supportive parent rather than a pushy sports dad.
“It’s whatever he wants, whatever he wants,” Rose said about his son’s future. “He’s very talented, so my job is just to tame him – he has a lot of energy and a loving kid. So I’m just in his life to just be there and just to help.”
This family-first mentality reflects Rose’s current phase of life, having retired from professional basketball in January after a career that included three All-Star appearances and the 2011 MVP award with the Chicago Bulls. While injuries may have altered his basketball journey, Rose has clearly embraced his evolution into family man and entrepreneur.
The business ventures shaping his post-NBA identity
Rose’s appearance at the White Sox opener offered glimpses into his emerging business ambitions beyond basketball. The former point guard mentioned his upcoming flower shop venture, a project that might seem unexpected from a basketball player but aligns with Rose’s desire to create new connections with the Chicago community.
Shortly after announcing his retirement in January, Rose opened a pop-up flower shop in downtown Chicago that allowed fans to meet him in a setting far removed from the basketball court. This unconventional approach to fan engagement demonstrates Rose’s interest in breaking the typical retired-athlete mold.
“Coming here, it’s one thing we wanted to establish, just having an imprint on Chicago alone and just doing projects like this,” Rose explained when discussing his community focus. “Like I said, me and my team, it’s something we talked about for a very long time.”
Rose described himself as a “business man now,” acknowledging the challenges of this new phase compared to his basketball career. “It’s challenging,” Rose admitted. “But at the same time, you won’t see perfection without imperfection. So developing, going through my ups and downs, suffering during the developing and realizing where I’m at.”
These business ventures, from retail concepts to his apparent footwear relationship with adidas and Fear of God, suggest Rose is methodically building a post-basketball identity that maintains his connection to Chicago while exploring new creative territories.
The emotional connection Chicago can’t let go of
The MVP chants that greeted Rose at Rate Field demonstrated the enduring bond between the city and its basketball son. Despite playing for several teams after leaving the Bulls, including stints with the Knicks, Cavaliers, Timberwolves, Pistons, and Knicks again, Chicago’s affection for Rose has never wavered.
“It’s surreal,” Rose said of the continued adoration. “It’s always surreal, but like I said, I’m a business man now and a dad today. Just spending time with them today and just giving them this time to really take in the moment.”
This persistent connection with Chicago fans helps explain why Rose continues to focus his business ventures and public appearances in the city. The White Sox opening day appearance represents just one example of how Rose maintains his Chicago presence despite no longer playing for its basketball team.
The emotional resonance carries special weight considering Rose’s career trajectory. Few athletes experienced such dramatic career shifts, from being the league’s brightest star and youngest MVP to battling years of injuries that altered his playing style and team situations. Through it all, Chicago’s support never diminished.
The curatorial approach to his legacy
Throughout his comments at the White Sox event, Rose repeatedly emphasized the intentional nature of his post-career choices, suggesting he views each appearance and business venture as part of a larger narrative he’s crafting.
“It’s been a whirlwind, but at the same time I’m loving the moment of curating everything that you’re seeing from the commercials to the retirement commercials to the pitch to the flower shop,” Rose explained. “It’s for everyone to see that I’m trying to manifest something right now, and I’m involving my family in it making it the team.”
This curatorial mindset extends to his choice of footwear for such a public moment. By debuting the unreleased adidas Basketball x Fear of God Athletics Basketball II, Rose aligned himself with two powerful fashion forces while generating organic buzz that traditional marketing couldn’t match.
Rose’s description of “manifesting something” hints at his understanding that post-career legacy building requires thoughtful planning and execution. Rather than letting others define his story, Rose appears determined to shape the narrative himself through carefully selected projects and appearances.
The White Sox first pitch, with its combination of family moments, community connection, sneaker reveal, and business development, perfectly encapsulates Rose’s multifaceted approach to his post-NBA life. For a player whose career contained dramatic highs and challenging setbacks, this balanced approach suggests Rose has found a peaceful perspective on his place in basketball history while actively building what comes next.
While fans will need to wait until December 2025 to purchase the shoes Rose debuted at Rate Field, his appearance offered something more immediate and perhaps more valuable. It provided a window into how a hometown sports hero transitions from the spotlight of professional athletics into a new phase marked by family, business, and community connection, all while maintaining the distinctive style that made him an icon both on and off the court.
