The Chicago Bulls retired Derrick Rose's jersey at post-game ceremony

Derrick Rose/Photostore NBA

Yesterday, the Chicago Bulls honored Derrick Rose by retiring his jersey number (No. 1) in a ceremony that took place after the Bulls' game against the Celtics. According to ESPN, Rose is now the fifth player in Bulls history to have his number retired, joining the ranks of Jerry Sloan (No. 4), Bob Love (No. 10), Michael Jordan (No. 23), and Scottie Pippen (No. 33).

A native of Chicago who grew up in Englewood, Rose brought immense excitement to the city when he joined the Bulls in 2008. He played for eight seasons after being selected as the first overall pick in the draft. In his rookie season, he earned the Rookie of the Year award and was named to three All-Star teams. In 2011, he made history by becoming the youngest MVP in NBA history. Rose ultimately retired from the NBA in 2024.

During last night's ceremony, he became visibly emotional as he expressed his gratitude to his mother and everyone else who supported his career. He said, "This journey was never about me. It was about creating the synergy that somehow people from the city can pull from. And somehow I was that beacon or that vessel for that..from hooping. Rose continued, all this, the moment, I'm still trying to take it in, the former Bulls player said. Just feeling grateful. Knowing the weather conditions out there, knowing that it is a Chicago thing, to even show up here, to fight through that and still go to an event, is huge."

The former Simeon Career Academy graduate understood what it meant to be a source of pride for his hometown. He mentioned, "It was about everybody that found ways to come to my games," Rose said. "That somehow, we had some type of vibration that connected. ... It is no coincidence that all this is going on and the people that watched me play showed up today."

Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Kyle Korver, Tyrus Thomas, Richard Hamilton, Taj Gibson, Keith Bogans, Drew Gooden, and Brian Scalabrine reportedly attended the ceremony alongside Derrick Rose's family. The legendary Michael Jordan also sent Rose a message regarding the event. He expressed, “Derrick, congratulations on the retirement of your jersey,” Jordan said. I’m very happy for you. You had an unbelievable career. You really represented the city of Chicago, the Chicago Bulls, your family, and yourself very, very well. So I’m very proud of you and very happy for your special night...Looking forward to coming to the United Center and seeing your jersey hanging up there with my jersey. Congratulations and enjoy your night.” Although Jordan indicated he would attend, reports confirm that he was not present at the ceremony.

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