PORTLAND – Derrick Rose is rooting for his college coach John Calipari, but will have his eyes on UCLA’s stud point guard Lonzo Ball and Knicks teammate Justin Holiday’s brother, Aaron, when Kentucky faces UCLA Friday night in a Sweet 16 classic in Memphis.
Rose flew to Los Angeles during the All-Star break and caught UCLA’s 102-70 rout of USC at Pauley Pavilion on Feb. 18. Rose spent all summer at UCLA working out with former Jets coach Sal Alosi, now the Bruins football trainer. But Rose never bumped into Ball, who could be a Knick next season if the NBA Draft lottery ping-pong balls bounce fortuitously.