CHICAGO (AP) — The iconic Chicago Bulls are set to honor one of their most celebrated figures, Derrick Rose, by retiring his jersey next season.
The club announced that President and CEO Michael Reinsdorf personally relayed the news to Chicago native and former MVP Rose on Saturday, revealing that Rose’s No. 1 will be erected in the Heights at some point during the 2025 season. -26. He will join an elite group of Bulls legends whose numbers have been retired, including Michael Jordan (23), Scottie Pippen (33), Jerry Sloan (4) and Bob Love (10).
Further details regarding the ceremony will be revealed in due course, according to the team.
“Derrick is not just a hometown hero; he embodies an entire era of Chicago Bulls basketball,” President Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement.
The announcement coincides with the Bulls’ tribute to Rose, who hung up his sneakers in September after a remarkable 16-season career, just before their game against the New York Knicks.
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The Chicago Bulls will retire the number 1 in tribute to Derrick Rose
As part of the celebrations, the United Center atrium is set to unveil the “Derrick Rose Experience,” featuring an array of memorabilia highlighting his illustrious career. Players from both teams will wear special shooting t-shirts emblazoned with the iconic “1.4.25,” a tribute to this significant date and the numbers Rose wore throughout his time with the Bulls, Knicks, and at the Simeon Career Academy in Chicago. The game will feature several moments dedicated to Rose, celebrating her contributions alongside her family and teammates.
Rose, selected as the first overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft, quickly rose through the ranks, going from Rookie of the Year to All-Star, and ultimately becoming the youngest MVP in league history at the time. Tender age of 22.
However, a devastating knee injury during the 2012 playoffs sidelined him for nearly two entire seasons, forcing him to consider retirement several times due to ongoing injuries.
During his career, Rose averaged 17.4 points and 5.2 assists over 723 regular season games. Notably, he averaged an impressive 21 points per game before his torn ACL 12 years ago, and 15.1 points per game in subsequent seasons.
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