"After a week in Los Angeles that included an appearance at the ESPY Awards, Bulls guard Derrick Rose is in Las Vegas as a member of the USA Basketball select team that is helping prepare the U.S. Olympic team for the Beijing Games.

Rose said he feels comfortable being around NBA stars such as Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Deron Williams.

''There's great camaraderie among the players, but you can see the intensity when the scrimmages start,'' Rose told the Sun-Times. ''As members of the select team, we all feel it's an honor and privilege to be a part of this, and the best way we can be of service is to come prepared to play and play hard every minute.''

Rose, chosen by the Bulls as the top pick in the June draft, feels he is learning valuable lessons both on and off the court"