Jalen Rose Once Stole Patrick Ewing’s TV

Photo by MATT CAMPBELL/Getty Images

Jalen Rose’s basketball journey is a narrative of resilience, evolution, and advocacy that transcends the confines of the basketball court. From his early days on the hardwood to his current role as a multifaceted sports analyst and community advocate, Rose’s story is a testament to the transformative power of passion and perseverance.

Since today is Rose’s birthday, we’re throwing it back to one of his funniest stories. The time he stole Patrick Ewing’s TV.

At 7’0″ and 240 pounds, I would not plan to necessarily steal from a prime Patrick Ewing. But Jalen Rose apparently doesn’t share that same opinion, as this is exactly what he did in 1999.

But it’s best to let Rose himself explain the story.

“Both teams were flying out to away games. I just so happened to go into the airport,” Rose said. “I walk in and I see a silver chest, with blue, and a sticker that says ‘Patrick Ewing.’ So then the Detroit instincts came out.

I look to the left, I look to the right, [and] I hit the handles,” Rose continues. “I open it — it’s a TV with a VCR attached. That was something then. We don’t use VHS and VCRs anymore, but to have a TV, with the attachment? And it has his name on it? I was like, ‘I’m getting this.’”