The National Basketball Association’s (NBA) youngest-ever Most Valuable Player (MVP), Derrick Rose, announced his retirement from the game of basketball on Thursday, bringing an end to his 16-year career.
The 35-year-old, who was the first overall pick in 2008 NBA Draft, won the MVP award in 2011 at the age of 22 while playing for the Chicago Bulls, where he spent eight years of his career before departing in 2016.
Rose, a three-time All-Star and the 2009 NBA Rookie of the Year, revealed the news of his retirement in a letter he posted on his Instagram.
He wrote: “Thank you, my first love. You believed in me through the highs and lows, my constant when everything else seemed uncertain. You showed me what love truly meant.
“You turned the court into my sanctuary, a home where I could express myself freely… You stood by me even when the world seemed against me, unconditionally, waiting for me to pick you up.
“You gave me a gift, our time together, one that I will cherish for the rest of my days. 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.”
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Rose played for five other NBA teams including the New York Knicks, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Detroit Pistons and the Memphis Grizzlies, where he was most recently until he was waived earlier in the week.
A star of the Bulls, Rose’s trajectory to one of the NBA’s top players was awe-inspiring as he had the skill and talent to go with his athleticism, causing serious problems for what ever defensive combinations were thrown his way.
However, injuries were his kryptonite as it marred his career and hindered him from ever reaching the pinnacle of his talent. He ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs in the 2011-12 season.
Two seasons later, a torn meniscus in his right knee forced him out for the remainder of the season.
“Just a kid from Chicago. Thank you for everything,” the Bulls wrote in an appreciation post on X directly at Rose.
Just a kid from Chicago.
Thank you for everything, @drose 🌹 pic.twitter.com/u3CCwhlfRe
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) September 26, 2024
In the 2023-24 season, his final campaign in the NBA, he played 24 times for Grizzlies, starting seven, with averages of 8.0 points and 3.2 assists in 16.6 minutes per game.
“We are grateful for your meaningful contributions to this team and this city, and wish you all the best in this next chapter of life,” the Grizzlies said in a statement on X.
We are grateful for your meaningful contributions to this team and this city, and wish you all the best in this next chapter of life. pic.twitter.com/Vc8QLv0c2I
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) September 26, 2024
He averaged 17.4 points and 5.2 assists in 723 regular-season games in his career.
