Chicago Bulls legend and former MVP Derrick Rose will be honored on January 24, 2026, when the team retires his jersey at the United Center. His famous No. 1 jersey will be placed alongside other Bulls greats, including Michael Jordan (23), Scottie Pippen (33), Bob Love (10), and Jerry Sloan (4).
Derrick Rose was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, and he quickly became a star for his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls. Standing 6-foot-3, he won Rookie of the Year in his first season and then went on to be an All-Star three years in a row. His best moment came in the 2010-11 season when, at just 22 years old, he became the youngest player ever to win the NBA MVP award. That year, Rose averaged 25 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.7 assists, while leading the Bulls to a league-best 62-20 record and their first Eastern Conference Finals since the days of Michael Jordan.
After his time in Chicago, Rose played for several other NBA teams, including the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Memphis Grizzlies. In the 2023-24 season, he returned to Memphis, the city where he played college basketball. He appeared in 24 games with the Grizzlies and later spoke about how special it was to come back, saying it felt like “everything had come full circle” because his family and old supporters could watch him again.
Rose’s career was heavily affected by injuries, especially a major knee injury in 2012 that forced him to miss almost two full seasons when he should have been in his prime. Over the years, he also had several knee surgeries and ankle problems, even taking time away from basketball in 2017-18 to consider his future. Despite those setbacks, Rose still managed to shine. Across 723 regular-season games, he averaged 17.4 points and 5.2 assists. Before the injury, he averaged 21 points per game, and afterward, he still produced 15.1 points per game.
Fans will never forget his magical performances even after his injuries. In 2018, he scored a career-high 50 points for Minnesota in an emotional game against Utah, which brought him to tears. A year later, in 2019, he had a 12-assist game for Detroit — his first game with that many assists in almost eight years. Rose was even a strong contender for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award for three straight seasons (2018-2021) and incredibly, a decade after his MVP win, he received another MVP vote in 2020-21.
Rose showed his talent early in his career. As a rookie in 2009, he won the NBA Skills Challenge during All-Star Weekend, captured the Rookie of the Year award, and scored 36 points in his first-ever playoff game. His journey from growing up in poverty in a Chicago neighborhood to becoming the NBA’s youngest MVP was truly inspiring. In 2006, he hit the game-winning shot in the Illinois state high school championship, and just five years later, he was named the best player in the NBA.
FAQ
When will Derrick Rose’s jersey be retired by the Chicago Bulls?
The Bulls will honor Derrick Rose by retiring his No. 1 jersey on January 24, 2026 at the United Center.
Which other Bulls players have had their jerseys retired?
Derrick Rose will join legends such as Michael Jordan (23), Scottie Pippen (33), Bob Love (10), and Jerry Sloan (4) in having his number retired.
Why is Derrick Rose receiving this honor?
Rose is being honored for his remarkable career with the Bulls, including winning Rookie of the Year, becoming the youngest NBA MVP at 22, and multiple All-Star appearances.
Which teams did Derrick Rose play for besides the Bulls?
After the Bulls, Rose also played for the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Memphis Grizzlies during his NBA career.
