Detroit — There were several prominent faces scattered around Detroit Golf Club on Monday morning. It was a melting pot of popular sports figures, actors, community leaders and even Pistons executives, but the most notable face walking around the golf course was Jalen Rose, who hosted his 13th annual celebrity golf tournament.
The tournament’s purpose is always centered on the support and awareness of the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy, an open-enrollment, tuition-free public charter high school on the northwest side of Detroit. Rose sported a wide smile and eagerness to fellowship with his students, celebrity friends and sponsors.
Rose was a part of ESPN’s recent string of high-profile layoffs, ending his run with the company after 16 years. The Pistons collaborated with the former NBA veteran and Fab Five member for their regular-season schedule release video, which poked fun at Rose’s transition into a new chapter by placing him at various odd jobs.
“That was fun, and that was a great concept. We’re gonna find Jalen multiple jobs. We’re going to see if he’s the guy standing by the water cooler just pestering everybody because he’s bored,” Rose said. “We’re gonna see if he can cut some hair and get Monty Williams into the chair even though he has a bald head. It was just a fun time. JRLA scholars were a part of that.”
When asked about his future plans now that he’s no longer at ESPN, Rose called his upcoming chapter a “reinvention.”
“The one thing about being a public figure for as long as I have — since the early 90s — the world has gotten a chance to see me reinvent myself multiple times. Whether it’s in multimedia, whether it’s the style of hair that I’m wearing. Whatever it is. That’s what Detroiters do. We find ways to be successful, regardless.
“There’s a phrase I like to use: ‘There’s a reason why the windshield is far superior in size than the rearview mirror, because what’s happening in front of you is way more important.’ I’m excited about the next chapters and stay tuned.”
Rose played for six teams throughout his 13-year NBA career, including the Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns and most notably, the Toronto Raptors, but he never suited up for his hometown Pistons. Still, he has several ties to the organization. His biological father, Jimmy Walker, was the No. 1 overall draft pick taken by the Pistons in 1967. His godfather is former Detroit mayor and Pistons legend Dave Bing, who was also in attendance on Monday.
Now that he’s no longer on television full-time, Rose said he plans to spend more time around the Pistons this season, leaving hints that he could collaborate with the franchise beyond the team’s schedule release.
“Yes, yes and yes,” he said with a smile. “Stay tuned, stay tuned, stay tuned. Absolutely. Exclamation point.”
One of the school’s most consistent supporters is Pistons owner Tom Gores, the founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Platinum Equity — one of the outing’s primary sponsors. During his remarks at the opening ceremony, Rose pointed to Gores’ generosity and partnership as one of the main pillars for the school’s success, which has resulted in having graduated more than 97% of its students with 100% of all graduates gaining college, trade/technical school or military acceptance.
“There are so many businesses and companies that make money in the city of Detroit and state of Michigan, but truly don’t give back. My brother Tom Gores and his wife, Holly, have dedicated Platinum (Equity) and Pistons resources to support the inner-city of Detroit,” Rose said. “The time, the energy, the passion…It’s mentors. It’s opportunities for exposure. It’s finance. It’s a full-service friendship, relationship and investment in the city of Detroit and the young people. As I say, ‘represent the charity that make it to the hood,’ so I’m forever grateful for them.”
Rose and Gores have developed a strong relationship over the years. As a proud Detroiter and die-hard Pistons fan, Rose can usually be found sitting near Gores during games at Little Caesars Arena. Just the night before at the tournament’s kickoff party, Rose lauded Gores for supporting the JRLA for the last decade despite never touching foot at the school or golf tournament.
“Just so y’all know, TG supported the school for over 10 years and ain’t never been to the school or a golf outing,” Rose told attendees. “You know what he just told me the other day? It blew my mind. He was like, ‘Because I believe in you and you’re gonna do what’s right for your city, and for the kids that go to your school. I didn’t go because I wanted to show that it didn’t matter.'”
mcurtis@detroitnews.com
X: @MikeACurtis2