After 15 seasons playing in the NBA, former MVP Derrick Rose has officially announced his retirement.
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"Knowing that I gave my all to the game, I feel confident in my decision," Rose told ESPN. "Basketball was just the beginning for me. Now, it's important that I give my all to my family — they deserve that."
It’s official… after 15 seasons, Derrick Rose is retiring from the game of basketball 🥺
The youngest league MVP we’ve ever seen ❤️ pic.twitter.com/JIhKzFrMYC
— Kicks (@kicks) September 26, 2024
Notably, Rose was drafted by his hometown Chicago Bulls, with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, and immediately made a splash upon entering the league.
Rose won Rookie of the Year, and then during the 2010-2011 season, at 22 years old, he went on to become the youngest MVP ever in NBA history, averaging 25.0 points, 7.7 assists per game.
Due to his high-flying, scoring ability, the Chicago native led the Bulls to a 62-20 record that year, and an Eastern Conference Finals appearance.
In view of his next season, Rose tragically tore his ACL (left knee) during the first round of the 2012 playoffs, and this is when things took a turn for the worse, as he lost some of his explosiveness that made him so great.
To emphasize, this injury caused Rose to miss the entire next season, and in his 10th game back from injury (2013-2014 season), he then tore his meniscus in his right knee.
As a result, Rose may go down as the biggest "what if?" in all of sports, in consideration of his trajectory and potential being off the charts. Many ponder what could have been if he never got injured in that Game 1 of the 2012 first round playoff matchup vs. the Philadelphia 76ers.
All in all, Rose never gave up, but his career was forever changed, as he went from being an MVP to a journeyman role player, since leaving the Bulls after eight seasons.
That is to say, he played for the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, before finishing out his career with the Memphis Grizzlies, in the same city he played his college ball at.
To point out, after Rose announced his retirement decision on social media, it was later revealed that he also took out full-page ads in the local newspapers of all six NBA cities he played in, as a way to thank each fan base for their support.
Derrick Rose's retirement letter
🌹✉️ pic.twitter.com/v8s06jr0PB
— Legon Hoops (@LegonHoop) September 26, 2024
"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."
Forever yours,
Derrick Rose 🌹 https://t.co/pXalICMqdE pic.twitter.com/q56WbL3XUk— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) September 26, 2024
Rose played a total of 723 games throughout his career, and averaged 17.4 points (45.6% FG) and 5.2 assists.
Derrick Rose is retiring from the game of basketball 😢 pic.twitter.com/GGutVPxRM4
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 26, 2024
