Derrick Rose’s No. 1 jersey will be retired by the Chicago Bulls, honoring his incredible legacy and historic MVP achievement.
Jan. 22, 2010; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chicago Bulls guard (1) Derrick Rose against the Phoenix Suns at the US Airways Center. Chicago defeated Phoenix 115-104.
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bulls announced Thursday that they will retire Derrick Rose’s No. 1 jersey, honoring the hometown hero who became the youngest MVP in NBA history and captured the hearts of a basketball-mad city during one of the franchise’s most electrifying eras. This was reported earlier this year; however, now we know when it will take place.
A Long-Awaited Honor
The jersey retirement ceremony will take place on January 4, 2025, when the Bulls host the New York Knicks at the United Center. The timing is fitting. Rose spent the final chapter of his playing career with the Knicks before announcing his retirement in September 2024, bringing his 16-year NBA journey full circle.
The Rise of D-Rose
Selected first overall by Chicago in the 2008 NBA Draft, Rose immediately transformed the Bulls from a lottery team to a championship contender. His explosive athleticism, lightning-quick first step, and clutch gene made him an instant fan favorite in a city still yearning for basketball glory following the Michael Jordan era.
Rose’s ascent reached its peak during the 2010-11 season, when he averaged 25.0 points and 7.7 assists per game while leading the Bulls to a league-best 62-20 record. At just 22 years old, he became the youngest player in NBA history to win the Most Valuable Player Award, beating out LeBron James, Dwight Howard, and Kobe Bryant.
A Career Defined by Brilliance and Heartbreak
Rose’s Bulls tenure was marked by both transcendent highs and devastating lows. Those same explosive drives that made him unstoppable also contributed to a series of knee injuries that derailed his prime years. The most crushing blow came during Game 1 of the 2012 playoffs against Philadelphia, when Rose tore his ACL with just over a minute remaining in a game the Bulls were winning comfortably.
That injury, followed by additional knee problems, robbed Rose and Chicago of what could have been sustained championship contention. Yet even as his explosiveness diminished, Rose’s connection to the city never wavered.
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Bulls Legacy and Career Numbers
During his eight seasons in Chicago (2008-2016), Rose averaged 19.7 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game. He made three All-Star teams as a Bull and was named to the All-NBA First Team in 2011. His 2010-11 MVP campaign remains one of the most memorable individual seasons in franchise history.
Rose’s jersey will become the fifth number retired by the Bulls, joining Michael Jordan’s No. 23, Scottie Pippen’s No. 33, Jerry Sloan’s No. 4, and Bob Love’s No. 10. The honor places Rose among the most revered figures in one of the NBA’s most storied franchises.
Beyond the Numbers: A City’s Son
What made Rose special in Chicago extended far beyond statistics. Born and raised on the South Side, Rose represented something deeper for the city—a local kid who made it to the top of the basketball world while never forgetting his roots. His emotional connection to Chicago was evident in every game, from his pre-game ritual of touching the court to his visible tears during difficult losses.
A Fitting Farewell
The January ceremony will provide closure to a relationship that defined a generation of Bulls basketball. While Rose’s career took him to New York, Cleveland, Minnesota, Detroit, and back to New York, Chicago always remained home.
Rose finished his NBA career with averages of 17.4 points and 5.2 assists per game across 723 regular-season contests. But for Bulls fans, the numbers only tell part of the story. Rose represented hope, excitement, and the possibility that their team could once again reach basketball’s mountaintop.
The ceremony on January 4 will mark the end of one chapter in Rose’s relationship with Chicago, but his legacy as the city’s basketball son will endure forever in the United Center rafters.
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