The Chicago Bulls announced Thursday they will retire Derrick Rose’s No. 1 jersey during a ceremony at their game against the Boston Celtics on January 24, 2026.
Rose will become just the fifth player in Bulls history to receive this honor, joining legends Jerry Sloan (No. 4), Bob Love (No. 10), Michael Jordan (No. 23), and Scottie Pippen (No. 33).
This isn’t the first time Chicago has celebrated their hometown hero. Last January, following his retirement announcement, the mayor declared January 4 “Derrick Rose Day” throughout the city.
Rose officially hung up his sneakers on September 24, 2024.
“Knowing that I gave my all to the game, I feel confident in my decision,” he told ESPN at the time. “Basketball was just the beginning for me. Now, it’s important that I give my all to my family – they deserve that.”
The Bulls shared the news on social media, stating simply: “No player will ever wear No. 1 for us again.”
They also announced Rose will be celebrated throughout the season, including four special game nights where fans can get collectible figurines while supplies last.
Rose shared his own heartfelt goodbye on Instagram when he retired:
“Thank You, My First Love…,” he wrote. “You believed in me through the highs and lows, my constant everything else seemed uncertain. You showed me what love truly meant.”
His message continued with raw emotion: “You turned the court into my sanctuary, a home where I could express myself freely. You made every early morning and late night we spent together worth every drop of sweat.”
The Chicago native’s journey touched millions of fans who watched him rise from the city’s tough South Side to NBA stardom.
“You introduced me to new places and cultures that a kid from Chicago could have never imagined. You taught me that every loss was a lesson and every win was a reason to be grateful.”
The Meteoric Rise and Resilient Journey
The Bulls picked Rose first overall in the 2008 draft after his standout season at the University of Memphis. He immediately became the face of the franchise.
His impact was instant. Rose won Rookie of the Year in 2008-09 and made the All-Star team the next three seasons.
Then came the historic achievement that cemented his legacy in Chicago.
At just 22 years old, Rose became the youngest MVP in NBA history during the 2010-11 season. He put up 25 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game while leading the Bulls to a league-best 62-20 record and an Eastern Conference finals appearance.
But basketball can be cruel.
Rose’s promising career took a devastating turn when he tore his left ACL during the 2012 playoffs. He missed the entire next season and played just 10 games in 2013-14.
After eight years in Chicago, the Bulls traded their injured star to the New York Knicks in 2016. From there, Rose became a basketball nomad, bouncing between teams while trying to reinvent his game.
Despite never regaining his MVP form, Rose showed incredible resilience. He played 15 years in the NBA with six different teams – the Bulls, Knicks, Cavaliers, Timberwolves, Pistons, and Grizzlies.
Over 723 regular-season games (518 starts), he averaged 17.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists while shooting a respectable 45.6% from the floor.
One of the brightest moments of his post-injury career came on Halloween night 2018, when Rose dropped a career-high 50 points for Minnesota in a win over Utah. The emotional performance reminded everyone of the special talent he still possessed.
Now, his iconic No. 1 jersey will hang forever in the United Center rafters – a permanent reminder of the hometown kid who gave Chicago everything he had.
