Jalen Rose, former NBA player and current basketball analyst, made a cameo appearance in the 50 Cent-produced series BMF.
For Rose, the opportunity was a full circle moment as he watched the 50 Boys, precursors to the infamous Black Mafia Family, rise to power in his hometown of Detroit.
On March 12, after the episode aired, a Twitter user wrote, “Jalen Rose in BMF hilarious.”
Jalen Rose in BMF hilarious
— Certified Blcvk Boy ???❤️? (@MoreBlcvk) March 12, 2023
Rose replied, “I lived it. Ask your Uncles.”
I lived it. Ask your Uncles https://t.co/wYwDnyC5dE
— Jalen Rose (@JalenRose) March 12, 2023
In an episode of NBA Countdown, Rose recounted his experience as a young basketball star at Southwestern High School. The former baller was connected to the drug dealers of the 50 Boys and enjoyed the spoils of their success. They took him shopping and celebrated his victories, including his time as a member of the Fab Five at the University of Michigan. Rose stayed in touch with Big Meech over the years and even attended his audacious Meech of the Jungle party in Atlanta in 2004.
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He compared his experiences as a young player with ties to the streets to the current situation with NBA star Ja Morant, warning the young athlete about the dangers of carrying a gun.
“I am Ja Morant,” Rose said. “You guys got a chance to see me grow up for public consumption since 1991. I’ve been involved in drug raids. I’ve survived assassination attempts; I’ve been that undisciplined young person that was trying to figure out how to be famous, how to be successful, and how to change the dynamics of my family.”
“What I had to learn is that people come into your life for four reasons: to add, subtract, multiply or divide; you have to choose wisely. He has way too much to lose. Trust me, I’ve been that young player carrying a gun; when you start waving it– that can get you killed,” he added.
Rose’s cameo in BMF serves as a cautionary tale, warning others about the dangers of getting involved with the wrong people and the importance of making the right choices. And for those who may be tempted to follow in his footsteps, Rose’s message is clear: choose wisely, and remember that there is always a path toward positivity and success.
