2011 NBA MVP Derrick Rose announced his retirement via social media on Thursday after 16 seasons in the league.
He put ads in local newspapers of the six cities he played for: Chicago, New York, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Detroit and Memphis to let everyone know.
The 35-year-old guard was waived by the Grizzlies earlier this week with one year left on his contract.
“The next chapter is about chasing my dreams and sharing my growth. 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,” Rose said in a statement to The Athletic.
“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.”
The NBA world has been heartbroken by the news, as many were hoping he would return home and retire with the Bulls in Chicago.
Here are some of the best reactions from around the NBA community:
1000% 🌹 https://t.co/oP3lKPGVFc
— JJJ (@jarenjacksonjr) September 26, 2024
“Dad how good was MVP Derrick Rose”
— Overtime (@overtime) September 26, 2024
Derrick Rose forever 🌹 pic.twitter.com/TquLgkgbCD
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) September 26, 2024
Derrick Rose was DIFFERENT.
A look back at his 2010-2011 #KiaMVP season at the age of 22 🤯 pic.twitter.com/zAYIx4BviU
— NBA (@NBA) September 26, 2024
Derrick Rose sent me a message on his retirement perspective: “Basketball was and always will be my first love. As a teenager, I had a goal of becoming an NBA player, and I achieved that. This isn’t a goodbye to the game I love; it’s a thank you.” pic.twitter.com/QDefRlqquA
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) September 26, 2024
Never forget Derrick Rose’s reaction at the 2012 All Star intro. 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/JFOkdZEgEW
— Whistle (@WhistleSports) September 26, 2024
Rose won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2009 after averaging 16.8 points and 6.3 assists per game and back that up with the first of his three All-Star appearances in 2009-10.
He is still the youngest player in NBA history to win MVP, winning the award at 22 years of age.
Unfortunately a torn ACL in Game 1 of Chicago’s first-round series against the Philadelphia in the 2011-12 season derailed Rose’s career, but as he said in his statement, he wouldn’t change a thing.
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