The Chicago Bulls officially retired Derrick Rose’s No. 1 jersey on Saturday night following a 106–103 win over the Boston Celtics, honoring one of the most beloved players in franchise history. The moment was fittingly capped by a clutch shot, as Bulls guard Kevin Huerter hit a tiebreaking three pointer with one second remaining.
Rose became just the fifth player in Bulls history to have his number retired, joining Jerry Sloan, Bob Love, Michael Jordan, and Scottie Pippen. The franchise also has banners honoring former head coach Phil Jackson and longtime executive Jerry Krause. A Chicago native, Rose spent eight seasons with his hometown team after being selected first overall in the 2008 NBA Draft, quickly becoming the face of the franchise and a symbol of hope for the city.
Rose was named Rookie of the Year in 2009, earned three All Star selections, and made history in 2011 when he became the youngest Most Valuable Player in NBA history. That season, he led the Bulls to a 62–20 record, the best record in the NBA, and led Chicago to consecutive years atop the Eastern Conference standings. From 2008 to 2015, the Bulls reached the playoffs seven straight times with Rose as a centerpiece of their success.
Over 406 regular season games with Chicago, Rose averaged 19.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.2 assists. He ranks among the franchise leaders in both scoring and assists per game and is one of only two Bulls players, alongside Michael Jordan, to record at least 2,000 points and 600 assists in a single season. With Rose on the floor, Chicago posted a 245–161 record, highlighted by an appearance in the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals, the team’s first since 1998.
Rose’s postseason resume further cemented his place in Chicago Bulls lore. During the 2011 playoffs, he averaged 27.1 points and 7.7 assists, helping power Chicago’s deep run. His playoff totals that year placed him in rare company league wide, and he finished his Bulls playoff career averaging 23.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.1 assists across 41 games, ranking second in franchise history in both scoring and assists in the postseason.
The night was as much a celebration of community as it was of individual achievement. Rose has long said he wanted his jersey retirement to honor everyone who shared the journey, a sentiment he reiterated Saturday by crediting the fans and the bond they helped create in Chicago. Though the Bulls formally honored Rose shortly after his retirement at the start of the 2024–25 season, the organization chose to wait until this year to raise his jersey to the rafters.
Following the game, the Bulls played a tribute video featuring former teammates, NBA stars, along with Rose’s family and Chicago residents reflecting on his impact. Around 20 former teammates were in attendance, with Rose watching the game from a suite alongside teammates such as Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Taj Gibson, Ben Gordon, Kirk Hinrich, and coach Tom Thibodeau. Rose later addressed the crowd, thanking his mother Brenda, his brothers, former teammates, and a sold out arena that remained in their seats for more than an hour, closing the night with a heartfelt hometown celebration worthy of his legacy.
