NBA Star Derrick Rose Retires After 16-Year Career

Renowned NBA star Derrick Rose has announced his retirement from professional basketball, concluding a remarkable 16-year career. The former MVP, who turned 35 this year, shared his decision via social media on Thursday morning and expressed gratitude towards fans in full-page newspaper advertisements in six cities where he played, including Chicago, New York, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Detroit, and Memphis.

“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.”

Rose, who was the first overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls, quickly made his mark in the league. The 6-foot-3 point guard became known for his athleticism and fearlessness, which helped him earn the 2008-09 Rookie of the Year award and a string of All-Star selections over the next three seasons. In the 2010-11 season, Rose became the youngest player to win the league MVP award, leading the Bulls to a record of 62-20 and reaching the Eastern Conference finals.

Unfortunately, Rose’s career trajectory shifted following a serious knee injury in the 2012 playoffs. A torn ACL caused him to miss the entire following season and limited his appearances in subsequent seasons, contributing to a journeyman career in the latter years, during which he struggled with frequent injuries.

Over his career, Rose played for several teams beyond the Bulls—such as the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Detroit Pistons—before ultimately concluding his time in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies. “It’s all full circle,” Rose reflected on his return to Memphis, where he had previously played college basketball. “Coming back here, having my family here, my wife’s family is from here, being back in this arena, having some of the people who came to my college games actually come to my professional games here, it’s all love.”

Despite the setbacks, Rose maintained a career average of 17.4 points and 5.2 assists per game across 723 games, 518 of which were starts. Rose is revered not only for his on-court achievements but also for his resilience and dedication to the sport, attributes that ensured his continued popularity among fans throughout his career.