The Chicago Bulls have made an electrifying announcement: former NBA MVP Derrick Rose will have his iconic No. 1 jersey retired, marking another monumental moment in the franchise’s storied history. Rose, who was a league sensation during his time with the Bulls from 2008 to 2016, became a household name and won the NBA MVP in 2011.
According to the club’s official statement, the jersey retirement ceremony will take place during the upcoming NBA season (2025-26), with more details coming soon.
With this honor, Rose joins the ranks of Bulls legends such as Jerry Sloan (No. 4), Bob Love (No. 10), Michael Jordan (No. 23) and Scottie Pippen (No. 33). The entire league also honored former player Bill Russell by retiring the number 6 from all teams following his death in 2022.
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During an emotional meeting this past Saturday in Chicago, Bulls President and CEO Michael Reinsdorf shared the news personally with Rose, acknowledging the impact he has had both on and off the court.
“Derrick is both a hometown hero and the embodiment of an entire era of Bulls Basketball,” said President Jerry Reinsdorf. “Retiring a jersey is more than commemorating a player’s performance; it’s recognizing the profound impact a player can have on the organization and its fans. Derrick’s contributions to our team and the emotional connection he created with our fans truly warrant this honor. »
Michael Reinsdorf added: “While Derrick’s skills on the court were remarkable, his humility and the way he let his game shine was what stood out the most. Watching Derrick not only as a player, but as an individual, has been a privilege. His connection to Chicago only grows stronger with time, and seeing his jersey rise to the ceiling will undoubtedly be an emotional event, surrounded by his loved ones and loyal supporters. »
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Picked first overall in the 2008 NBA draft, Rose’s eight seasons with the Bulls saw the emergence of one of the franchise’s most iconic players. As a three-time All-Star (2010, 2011, 2012) and the youngest player to win the MVP award at the age of 22, Rose led the Bulls to a remarkable 62-20 season record. 2010-11, the best in the league. His stellar career includes leading the team to seven consecutive playoff appearances from 2008-2015.
Throughout his time with the Bulls, Rose demonstrated his power by appearing in 406 regular season games, posting averages of 19.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 6.2 assists. He ranks third in assists per game and ninth in points per game in franchise history. Notably, he is one of only two players (the other being Michael Jordan) to reach over 2,000 points and 600 assists in a single season, with impressive averages of 25.0 points and 7.7 assists. decisive during the 2010-11 season.
Rose’s time with the Bulls wasn’t just about records; he was part of a successful era, culminating in the team’s first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 1998, while posting impressive averages of 27.1 points and 7.7 assists throughout the NBA playoffs 2011. His playoff totals, with 434 points, 69 rebounds and 123 assists, place him among a rare group of players in league history to reach such milestones at the age of 22 or younger. His playoff averages of 23.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 1.1 steals further cement his legacy as one of the most influential players in Bulls history.
