The No. 1 is set to go up into the rafters for the Chicago Bulls as they announced they will retire Derrick Rose’s jersey number in the 2025-26 NBA season on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time).
Rose, who announced his retirement from the sport in September 2024, played his prime with the Bulls, where he suited up for eight years.
OFFICIAL: The Bulls will retire Derrick Rose's number during the 2025-26 NBA season. No other player will ever wear the number 1 for the Chicago Bulls.
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 4, 2025
Number 1 will always be from Chicago. pic.twitter.com/s7z3J030WA
The Bulls drafted Rose first overall in the 2008 draft, as a true-bred Chicago native. In 2011, he won the NBA MVP award — becoming the youngest ever to do so.
He was a three-time NBA All-Star and NBA Rookie of the Year in 2009.
“Number 1 will always be from Chicago,” said the Bulls in their announcement tweet.
However, the latter half of his career was marred by injuries, which first bared its teeth with an ACL tear during the 2011-2012 season.
Rose would leave the Bulls in 2016 before becoming a journeyman playing for multiple other teams — including the New York Knicks, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Detroit Pistons, and finally the Memphis Grizzlies.
Chicago Bulls President & CEO Michael Reinsdorf reportedly shared the news to Rose in person on Saturday (Sunday in Manila). They would also later on dub the home game against the New York Knicks on Saturday as “Derrick Rose Night.”
Pooh's home ?? pic.twitter.com/EMQXzRzKu4
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 5, 2025
“Derrick is both a hometown hero and a symbol of an entire era of Bulls basketball,” said Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.
“Retiring a jersey recognizes a player’s impact beyond on-court achievements. It honors individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the organization and forged deep, lasting connections with fans. It recognizes that emotional bond and the great influence a player has had on the team and organization’s identity. We are proud to add Derrick to the elite group of players – Jerry Sloan (No. 4), Bob Love (No. 10), Michael Jordan (No. 23), and Scottie Pippen (No. 33) – whose jerseys have been officially retired by the Chicago Bulls,” he added.
"Derrick’s talent was extraordinary, but what always impressed me most was how he remained humble and let his basketball play speak for him," said Michael Reinsdorf.
"To watch Derrick the player was a thrill, but to get to know Derrick the person was an honor. His accomplishments on and off the court are what made him truly special. His connection with Chicago was undeniable when he was here, and it has only grown stronger and more profound over time. It will be an emotional moment to see Derrick watch his jersey go up into the rafters, surrounded by the family, friends, and fans who mean so much to him.”
Rose played in 406 regular season games for his hometown team, norming averages of 19.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.2 assists.
Among franchise players, Rose is third-highest in assists per game average and ninth-highest in scoring average.
