Derrick Rose: 'I will definitely be playing' first game of season

Bulls guard Derrick Rose said he is 100 percent. (Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose says he will be ready for the opening game of the 2013-14 NBA season, according to a USA Today report.

Rose, who missed all of last season rehabbing from a torn ACL, says he is 100 percent now and he is "anxious" to play basketball again for the Bulls. Rose said he is mentally stronger than he's ever been and he's been talking to head coach Tom Thibodeau twice a week while watching film with him in preparation for next season.

The Bulls will play the first-ever NBA game in Brazil when they travel to Rio for a preseason game against the Washington Wizards on October 12. Rose is expected to log some minutes during that game.

Rose considers next season to be "huge" for the Bulls and thinks the team are "definitely contenders" for a championship. After last appearing in an NBA game on April 28, 2012, Rose said he doesn't know how it would feel to be back on the court with his teammates.

Rose commented on his return in a USA Today report:

"I should be able to play in the first game of season," Rose said. "I know I'm anxious right now to play. My health is everything right now, it's 100 percent. But right now, the first game... I will definitely be playing it."