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NBA: Top 10 Active Players From Mid-Majors

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 30, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) fight for a loose ball during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Golden State won in overtime 103-96. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) fight for a loose ball during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Golden State won in overtime 103-96. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 21, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) brings the ball up court against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) brings the ball up court against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Derrick Rose, New York Knicks

School: Memphis Tigers (Conference USA)
Position: Point Guard
Age: 27 (10/4/1988)
2015-16 Slash Line: .427/.293/.793
2015-16 Season Averages: 31.8 MPG, 16.4 PPG, 4.7 APG, 3.4 RPG, 0.7 SPG, 0.7 3PM
Accolades: NBA MVP (2011), Rookie of the Year (2009), All-NBA First Team, 3x All-Star

Despite the vast number of injuries Derrick Rose has endured over the past five years, he remains one of the best slashers in the NBA. He could very easily move up this list in 2016-17, but his ranking is one that takes a fair number of precautions.

Though the Memphis Tigers are members of the American Athletic Conference today—you be the judge of whether or not that’s a power conference—it was a Conference USA school when Rose attended.

When he isn’t making ill-advised jump passes, Rose is still driving the lane as well as anyone in the NBA. He finished 2015-16 at No. 14 in the Association in drives per game and No. 9 in points via drives per game.

Rose shot 51.0 percent on the drive, which ranked No. 7 amongst players who averaged at least 4.0 points via drives per game—and he was at 6.9.

Furthermore, Rose averaged 17.4 points on a slash line of .468/.375/.784 after the 2016 All-Star Break. It was a sign that he still has something left in the tank, which the New York Knicks hope proves true.

Rose has increased his availability in back-to-back seasons, which is a promising sign that he’ll be a high-caliber player again.

Next: Rising Star