The Last Bass Outpost

The 2010 U.S. Census lists Englewood’s poverty rate at 46 percent and its unemployment rate at 20 percent, both more than double the national average. And from January through March of this year, based on statistics from the Chicago Police Department, the 3.1-square-mile neighborhood experienced more robberies (208), aggravated assaults (92) and aggravated batteries (123) than anywhere in the city.

‘‘He’s the biggest thing to ever come out of Englewood,’’ said Harvey Hampton, one of Rose’s AAU coaches and the father of one of Rose’s closest friends. ‘‘They love him here.’’

And there don’t seem to be any exceptions.

A member of the Gangster Disciples, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said local gangs earmarked Murray Park a safe zone because of Rose.

‘‘He paved the way,’’ the Gangster Disciple said. ‘‘It used to be called ‘Murder Park.’ But when Derrick made it to the NBA, we made it better out of respect. He comes from this block, and he represents all of us.’’

One of the most credible people in the neighborhood was Rose’s older brother Reggie, who starred at Hubbard High School and played college ball at Idaho. As Derrick’s game and reputation blossomed, Reggie monitored those who interacted with his brother. If gang members approached Derrick, Reggie asked them not to recruit him.

‘‘It’s respect,’’ Reggie said, ‘‘and we know most of them.’’

The Rose family was so well-regarded that neighborhood gang members would warn them if there was imminent danger.

‘‘Someone might come by and say, ‘You need to tell your mom and everybody to go inside the house,’??’’ Reggie recalled. ‘‘Sometimes you don’t hear anything, sometimes you hear 25 gunshots.’’