)
The Chicago Bulls’ longstanding partner After School Matters has a gym to call their own for the first time in its 35-year history and a new mural inspired by Bulls legend Derrick Rose. On Friday, Jan. 16, the Bulls and ASM came together at the non-profit’s new teen center in Chicago’s Cabrini neighborhood to dedicate the mural to Rose, celebrate an art showcase filled with work from ASM teens and host a youth basketball clinic.
“I never thought I’d have a mural, but at the same time the story correlates because I’m a collector, I love art,” said Rose. “Basketball was holding me back in a way. Creative wise, I was put into a box. People only look at you as an athlete and they only want you to dribble. What you see right now, I waited to gain knowledge to be able to express myself this way. Thank you to Dwight, After School Matters, the Bulls, this collab means a lot to me and my family.”
Rose was at the dedication to witness the art in-person with White II and the students, along with leadership and staff from the Chicago Bulls and After School Matters.
“As we planned Derrick Rose’s jersey retirement, it felt only right that After School Matters be a part of it,” said Chicago Bulls President and CEO Michael Reinsdorf. “We work so well together because we share the same values: creating opportunities, opening doors, and helping young people see what’s possible for themselves.”
Although White II was holding the brush, the teens had a strong hand in the development of the mural. “Home Court of Dreams” was designed by White II in collaboration with After School Matters teens in the Advanced Visual Arts and Welding Programs, who shared what Chicago and Rose’s legacy mean to them. The mural represents both Rose’s career and his impact on others, which can be seen through details like the banner recognizing his achievement as the youngest MVP in NBA history, or the rose shop representing the city giving their MVP his flowers. The mural intends to serve as a source of inspiration for After School Matters students looking to realize their ambitious dreams.
“Sport and art is such a unique intersection,” said White II. “They both require attention to detail a journey. You have to dive deep at times, make split decisions. My art style that I call ‘spontaneous realism’ comes from sport. I played defensive back at Northwestern and the split decisions I made in football, you make a lot in art too, just on the canvas.”
After School Matters teen Elijah B. is from the South Side of Chicago and when thinking about the impact of mural, he said, “I want the city to feel like it’s a sign of hope, peace and home. A place where people can go and have fun and admire their art.”
The Bulls sponsored the gym renovations in the new facility, including the basketball hoops, bleachers, scoreboard and flooring to support ASM's first-ever gym. Prior to the new teen center, ASM would have to coordinate with schools, park districts and other entities just to secure a space to play. In addition to refurbishing the basketball court for ongoing programming, the Bulls contributed grant funding to ASM's capital campaign for the construction of the teen center.
The Bulls use the power of basketball to empower and inspire youth across Chicago—from its neighborhoods to the culminating moment at the United Center on Jan. 24. Derrick Rose Jersey Retirement Night, presented by State Farm, will feature a United Center atrium experience that includes paintings and 90 hand-crafted metal roses from ASM teens along with a canvas of the mural. The public can view these pieces from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., and ticketed fans will see them when gates open at 5 p.m.
The Bulls and After School Matters have worked together since the non-profit’s founding in 1991. As a player, Rose partnered with After School Matters to surprise teens with a shopping spree during the holidays and made a $1 million donation that continues to support the growth of the organization today. This impact can be seen as recently as the Bulls annual Season of Giving, when forward Julian Philips and team chef Christine Blank led a cooking class for students. In recent years, guard Coby White hosted a beat battle competition for After School Matters music students.