Jalen Rose

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Lore & Background

Jalen Rose arrived in Indiana via a 1996 trade with the Denver Nuggets, along with Reggie Williams and a future first round draft pick, for Mark Jackson, Ricky Pierce, and a first round pick. Early on under Coach Larry Brown, Rose frequently logged DNPCDs (Did Not Play – Coach's Decision) and often spoke out about being used as a backup two-guard and small forward over his preferred point guard position. It was not until Larry Bird took over coaching duties that Rose began to blossom, eventually realizing he was most effective at small forward. Rose helped the Pacers get back on their feet after a disastrous 1996–97 season and make three consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearances. In the 1999–2000 season, he averaged 18.2 points per game for the eventual Eastern Conference Champions, winning the NBA Most Improved Player Award, the first time in Pacers history. During the 2000 NBA playoffs, Rose scored 40 points in Indiana's Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 1 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. After winning that series and helping lead his team to the 2000 NBA Finals, Rose averaged 25 points per game in the six-game series, including a 32-point effort in a Game 5 win. However, the Pacers lost the series to the Los Angeles Lakers. This playoff series is also remembered for Rose intentionally placing his foot underneath Kobe Bryant in Game 2 while Bryant was landing after a jump shot, in an effort to cause injury (which Rose later admitted to intentionally doing). Bryant missed Game 3 of the series due to an injury after landing on Rose's foot.

In Their Own Story

The roar of Market Square Arena was deafening as Jalen Rose caught the pass on the wing. It was Game 5 of the 2000 Eastern Conference Finals, and the Pacers were locked in a battle with the New York Knicks. Rose pump-faked, sending his defender flying, then stepped into a smooth 18-footer. The net snapped. He turned and flashed a confident grin at the crowd, his signature headband soaked in sweat. That night, he scored 24 points, leading Indiana to a series-clinching win and their first-ever Finals berth. For Pacers fans, that moment—Rose's cool, effortless brilliance—was pure magic.

Reader's Guide

Jalen Rose played for the Indiana Pacers from 1996 to 2002, emerging as a vital scorer during the team's most successful era. Standing 6'8", he possessed a rare combination of size, ball-handling, and shooting touch, making him a matchup nightmare for defenders who couldn't keep up with his step-back jumper or handle his drives in the paint. His playing style was defined by creative drives, step-back jumpers, and an unselfish willingness to facilitate—he often fed Reggie Miller off screens or found Rik Smits rolling to the basket. Rose's greatest achievement was helping the Pacers reach the 2000 NBA Finals, where he averaged 25 points per game, including a 32-point explosion in Game 5 that kept the series alive. He was named NBA Most Improved Player in 2000, a testament to his growth from a promising sixth man to a go-to scorer. Rose's legacy in Indiana is that of a fearless competitor who thrived in the spotlight, bridging the gap between the Reggie Miller era and the next generation. His No. 5 jersey is not retired, but his contributions are celebrated by fans who remember his clutch scoring and vibrant personality.

Did You Know?

• Rose won the NBA Most Improved Player Award in the 1999–2000 season, the first time in Pacers history.
• He became the first player in eight years other than Reggie Miller to lead the Pacers in scoring in the 1999–2000 season, averaging 18.2 points per game.
• During the 2000 NBA playoffs, Rose scored 40 points in Indiana's Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 1 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
• In the 2000 NBA Finals, Rose averaged 25 points per game, including a 32-point effort in Game 5.
• Rose later admitted to intentionally placing his foot underneath Kobe Bryant in Game 2 of the 2000 NBA Finals, causing Bryant to miss Game 3 due to injury.