Derrick Rose Confident He'll Be Proven Innocent Over Sexual Assault Allegations
Former MVP Derrick Rose proclaimed his innocence in the wake of a civil suit filed in August.
Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose is confident he will be proven innocent as he again responded to the sexual assault allegations against him.
Like pretty much every season since he has come into the NBA, Rose was the biggest story at the Bulls' media day.
But on Monday, the questions were more serious than whether or not he could return to MVP form.
Rose responded to a civil suit filed against him in August by an ex-girlfriend who claims he raped her in 2013.
The 2011 NBA MVP proclaimed his innocence on Monday.
"I will be proven innocent," Rose said.
"It's not true. This whole summer I had tunnel vision. My mindset was just making sure that I was working out every day, and spending as much time as possible with my son (P.J.). And focusing on those two things.
"Making sure my family is financially stable, as far as seeing all the money that they're passing out in this league. Just telling the truth. Just knowing that my day will be coming up soon, and it's not for me. It's for P.J. and his future, so that's what I'm thinking about right now."
Rose initially issued a statement when news of the suit broke, but had not commented since then.
Rose, who is set to become a free agent in 2017, was asked where he wants to play in the future and if the changing NBA financial landscape could affect his decision to remain in Chicago.
"Here, it's here," Rose said, referring to Chicago.
"But when you talk about that much money, the only thing you can do is prepare for it. I'm trying to prepare, not only myself, but my family. And I'm doing this all for my son.
"Like I said, I'm thinking about his future. Even though we're all right, we're comfortable, when you talk about that X amount of dollars, I think it raises everyone's eyebrows, so there's nothing wrong with being over-prepared.''