Former NBA Most Valuable Player Derrick Rose announced his retirement from basketball on Thursday, September 26, as the 35-year-old guard brought the curtains down on a career spanning 16 years.
Once the lynchpin of the Chicago Bulls franchise after he became the No. 1 pick in the draft, Rose began his NBA career with a Rookie of the Year award.
At 22, Rose became the youngest player in league history to be named the NBA MVP during the 2010-2011 season.
Rose also detailed his love of basketball in his post on Instagram.
“Thank you, my first love. You believed in me through the highs and lows, my constant when everything else seemed uncertain. You showed me what love truly meant,” the three-times All-Star wrote in a statement on Instagram.
“You turned the court into my sanctuary, a home where I could express myself freely… You stood by me even when the world seemed against me, unconditionally, waiting for me to pick you up.
“You gave me a gift, our time together, one that I will cherish for the rest of my days. You told me it’s okay to say goodbye, reassuring me that you’ll always be a part of me, no matter where life takes me.”
Rose’s career got marred by injuries, with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in the 2012 playoffs and a torn meniscus that needed surgery two seasons later, severely reducing his minutes on court.
After eight years with the Bulls, Rose also played for the New York Knicks, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Detroit Pistons, and the Memphis Grizzlies.
Rose established career averages of 17.4 points, 5.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 723 career games (518 starts) with the Bulls (2008-2016), New York Knicks (2016-2017, 2021-2023), Cleveland Cavaliers (2017-2018), Minnesota Timberwolves (2018-2019), Detroit Pistons (2019-2021), and Memphis Grizzlies (2023-2024).
Injuries limited Rose to 24 games (seven starts) in 2023-2024, and he averaged 8.0 points, 3.3 assists, and 1.9 rebounds.
The Bulls described him as a “the kid from Englewood turned into a Chicago legend” in a post on Instagram thanking him for what he had accomplished with the former champions.
In his final season with the Grizzlies, he was limited to just 24 games, making only seven starts.
“We are grateful for your meaningful contributions to this team and this city, and wish you all the best in this next chapter of life,” the Grizzlies said in a statement. – Rappler.com