Chicago is set to honor Derrick Rose by retiring his jersey on January 24, 2026, during a special postgame ceremony at the United Center. This event will mark a significant milestone not only for Rose, a beloved figure in Bulls history, but also for the city, which has witnessed his remarkable journey from a local standout to an NBA superstar.
The Chicago Bulls have officially announced that Rose’s legendary No. 1 will be added to the illustrious collection of retired jerseys hanging in the arena. This number will now be alongside those of legendary players such as Michael Jordan (No. 23), Scottie Pippen (33), Bob Love (10), and Jerry Sloan (4), placing Rose firmly within the elite ranks of Bulls legends. This retirement ceremony is expected to attract a large crowd, bringing together fans from around the country to commemorate a player whose influence has transcended the sport.
Derrick Rose made an immediate impact after being selected as the first overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. Quickly establishing himself as a force on the court, he earned the title of Rookie of the Year and secured three consecutive All-Star selections. The pinnacle of his early career came during the 2010-11 season, where he captured the league’s MVP award at the astonishing age of 22, making him the youngest player to ever do so. During that standout year, Rose averaged an impressive 25 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.7 assists, leading the Bulls to a remarkable 62-20 record and a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals—a feat not achieved since the era of Michael Jordan in the late 1990s.
Throughout his career, Rose faced numerous challenges, particularly due to injuries that included multiple knee surgeries. These setbacks tested his resolve, but his passion for the game persisted. Following his tenure with the Bulls, Rose played for various teams, including New York, Detroit, Minnesota, Cleveland, and Memphis. His return to the Grizzlies last season held special significance, as it brought him back to the city where he played his college basketball and reignited his connection to the community.
In the 2023-24 season, Rose participated in 24 games with the Grizzlies and expressed heartfelt reflections on what returning to Memphis meant to him. “It’s all full circle,” he shared in April 2024. “Coming back here, having my family here, my wife’s family is from here, being back in this arena, and having some of the people who came to my college games actually come to my professional games here, it’s all love.” Such comments underscore how basketball has been more than just a career for Rose; it has been a deeply personal journey that intertwines with his family and his roots.
Despite dealing with the repercussions of his injuries, Rose managed to leave a lasting imprint on the league, averaging 17.4 points and 5.2 assists over the course of 723 regular-season games. Notably, before his devastating ACL injury, he averaged an impressive 21 points per game. Afterward, while his scoring dipped to 15.1 points on average, he still demonstrated glimpses of the incredible talent that once earned him the MVP title.
One of the defining moments in Rose’s post-injury career occurred when he scored a remarkable 50 points for the Minnesota Timberwolves in a thrilling 128-125 victory over the Utah Jazz on October 31, 2018. This emotional performance brought him to tears, highlighting both the joy of the moment and the struggles he had endured to reach that peak. Additionally, he recorded a notable 12-assist game for the Detroit Pistons in a 115-107 win over Houston on December 14, 2019, marking a significant achievement after nearly eight years without such a performance.
Even after the injuries, Rose remained a contender for the league’s Sixth Man of the Year award for three consecutive seasons between 2018 and 2021. Impressively, he also received a first-place MVP vote during the 2020-21 season, a decade after securing the same award. This speaks to his resilience and ability to adapt to different roles as his career progressed.
Rose burst onto the scene as a phenomenal talent, winning the league’s skills challenge as a rookie during the 2009 All-Star weekend and making headlines with his dazzling performances, including a playoff debut where he scored an astounding 36 points. His rise was meteoric for someone who grew up in a Chicago suburb facing economic hardship, viewing basketball as a pathway to a brighter future for himself and his family. In 2006, he famously hit a buzzer-beater to win an Illinois state high school championship, a defining moment that set the stage for his rapid ascent to stardom just five years later when he earned the NBA MVP award.
Derrick Rose’s journey through the highs and lows of professional basketball not only illustrates his relentless work ethic but also reinforces the lasting legacy he leaves behind—a narrative of perseverance that resonates with fans and aspiring athletes alike. His jersey retirement will serve as a testament to his influence on the game and the community that loved him throughout his extraordinary career.
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