In the latest high-profile example of how basketball can transform society, NBA star Derrick Rose announced his Rose Scholars Program on Thursday. Rose’s scholarship program will award over $400,000 in college tuition to high school students pursuing higher education.

I'm excited to share the launch of The Rose Scholars program, a scholarship program which seeks to give high school students the opportunity they need to make their dreams a reality. To apply, check out https://t.co/h1nnPR04TW#RoseScholars2018 — Derrick Rose (@drose) August 1, 2018

Open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, the Rose Scholar grand prize winner will be gifted up to $200,000 with $25,000 payment per semester for four years. Two smaller winners will receive up to $20,000 of a one-time payment for the fall 2018 semester.

Students can apply here before the September 30 deadline. It includes a 600-word essay and a social media post that reflects the kind of leadership you embody in your community.

https://twitter.com/BBallSociety_/status/1019627591907594241

While basketball has been a tremendous blessing for Rose, it’s also been a source of fluctuation from the highest of highs in his NBA career to experiencing injuries that would alter his ultimate career trajectory.

Rose is still active, currently playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves, but the former MVP’s name doesn’t ring the same bells that it used to on and off the basketball court.

What you end up remembering Derrick Rose as is up to you, but it's important to never forget he was once a guy capable of doing things like this. pic.twitter.com/x9VNNJbzuj — Basketball Society (@BBallSociety_) November 28, 2017

Despite the roller coaster Derrick Rose has endured with the game, his ability to launch the Rose Scholars Program is a result of the game allowing him to bless others. Rose hasn’t become too pre-occupied with a resurgence of his success to make use of the resources and influence he still has through basketball to impact society.

And that is enormously refreshing.