After a 16-year NBA career, Derrick Rose announced in September 2024 that he would retire from the NBA.
“Knowing that I gave my all to the game, I feel confident in my decision,” Rose said.
View this post on Instagram
Words of praise poured in as the former MVP’s retirement tour began.
Kevin Durant commented on Rose’s Instagram post (and followed it with a salute emoji): “One of the greatest to ever grace a court. Thank you for sharing your gifts to the world, can’t wait to see what u got next.”
In November, New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau spoke on Rose’s retirement and career. He was at the forefront of Rose’s MVP run as head coach of the Chicago Bulls.
“He had a remarkable career and just to see how he handled everything that came his way… you can talk about him as a basketball player, the youngest MVP, [he’s] no doubt in mind a Hall-of-Famer,” Thibodeau said.
“He had a remarkable career… no doubt in my mind, a Hall-of-Famer.”
Tom Thibodeau talks about the Bulls hosting “Derrick Rose Night” when the Knicks visit Chicago on January 4: pic.twitter.com/SVcZURaeKI
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) November 13, 2024
John Calipari, who coached Rose in college basketball at Memphis, wrote a lengthy Twitter/X message calling Rose a “coaches’ dream.”
Derrick Rose and I talked a few days ago about his decision to retire from the NBA and start the next phase of his life with his family. His decision was well thought out, and his concern for his family was evident. His appreciation of his long career and what it meant to him was…
— John Calipari (@CoachCalArk) September 26, 2024
On Saturday night, the Bulls held “Derrick Rose Night” at the United Center and honored him at halftime of the team’s game against the New York Knicks (who Rose spent four seasons with). Calipari was one of those in attendance.
Rose was moved to tears as Joakim Noah took the mic and said, “You’re not only the MVP Pooh; you’re the people’s champ.”
Rose is a native of Chicago (and attended Simeon High School), which made it all that more special. After a tribute video, when it was his turn to speak, he thanked the city for “forcing him to be great.”
The three-time All-Star spent seven seasons with the Bulls. He was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft and went on to win Rookie of the Year honors in 2008-09, before receiving the NBA MVP award following the 2010-11 season. He was the youngest player — 22 years and 191 days old — in NBA history to be named MVP.
On Saturday, the Bulls announced that they will retire Rose’s No. 1 jersey which will be placed in the rafters next season at the United Center.
The moment Pooh learned his number is officially going in the rafters 🥹 pic.twitter.com/D8JZjXhdtG
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 4, 2025
