Former NBA MVP Derrick Rose Retires From Basketball After 16 Seasons in the NBA

Former Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose has announced his retirement from the sport after enjoying a successful, but injury-hampered 16 seasons in the NBA. He made the decision public via social media and by placing front page ads in local newspapers of six cities he played in – Chicago, Detroit, New York, Memphis, Cleveland and Minneapolis.

“The next chapter is about chasing my dreams and sharing my growth,” Rose said in a statement. “I believe true success comes from becoming who you were created to be, and I want to show the world who I am beyond basketball. Whether good or bad, everyone has a ‘what if’ story in their life. Even if I could, I wouldn’t change anything in mine, because it’s what helped me find real joy.”  

With the 1st pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, Derrick Rose was drafted by the Chicago Bulls. The 35-year-old guard enjoyed his most productive stint in the NBA with the Bulls. Rose’s athleticism, thunderous dunks and killer ball-handling skills made him an instant fan favorite. He soon became the face of the Bulls organization, and the hype around the Bulls was at an all-time high since Michael Jordan’s retirement. Rose quickly established himself as one of the best point guards in the league. In fact, he became the youngest ever player to win the MVP award in 2011. At 22, D-Rose averaged 25 points, 7.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds during his MVP season. 

However, recurring knee injuries blighted his career, robbing him of the speed and athleticism that once made him a force on the court. For a player who thrived on explosive drives and agility, the injuries left him a shadow of his former self. Eventually, the Chicago Bulls traded him to the New York Knicks, where he spent just one season before being moved again—this time to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2017. But after just 16 games with the Cavs, Rose found a chance for redemption with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and he seized it. 

In the 2018-19 season, Rose reminded the basketball world of his brilliance, averaging 18 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.7 rebounds over 51 games. His resurgence earned him a big contract with the Detroit Pistons, a team looking to contend for the NBA title with stars like Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond in their ranks. Rose delivered, posting 18.1 points, 5.6 assists, and 2.4 rebounds per game during his first season. Unfortunately, despite his strong performance, the Pistons were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs. 

After that season, Rose’s production numbers started to decline as age caught up with him. Following his spell with the Pistons, the 2011 NBA MVP rejoined the New York Knicks, where he spent three more seasons with the franchise. Last season, Derrick Rose signed with the Memphis Grizzlies, as they wanted a veteran leader for their young roster. However, after just one season in Memphis, Rose has decided to call time on his career. During his illustrious career, D-Rose put up averages of 17.4 points, 5.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game.