Derrick Rose's Jersey Joins Jordan's in Bulls Rafters

Derrick Rose's No. 1 jersey now hangs in the rafters at United Center, a permanent tribute to the kid from Chicago who made basketball history.

The Bulls honored Rose on Saturday night with a retirement ceremony that brought together teammates, coaches, and fans to celebrate a career defined by perseverance and hometown pride. Rose becomes only the fifth player in franchise history to receive this honor, joining Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Bob Love, and Jerry Sloan.

The evening started with a tribute video narrated by Pippen himself, setting the tone for what would become an emotional celebration. Former teammates Taj Gibson and Luol Deng delivered speeches honoring their friend, while coach Tom Thibodeau shared his own memories of Rose's incredible Bulls tenure.

Michael Jordan sent a special video message for the occasion, a fitting gesture from one legend to another. Rose then took the court to address the crowd and his three children before his jersey was officially raised to the rafters.

Rose's story is one Chicago will never forget. Selected first overall in the 2008 NBA draft by his hometown team, he immediately made an impact by winning Rookie of the Year in 2009. But his defining moment came in 2011 when, at just 22 years old, he became the youngest player in NBA history to win the MVP award.

That same season, Rose led the Bulls to an impressive 62-20 record and a run to the Eastern Conference Finals. Over seven seasons in Chicago from 2008 to 2016, he played in 406 regular-season games and 41 playoff contests, recording 2,516 assists that still rank fifth in franchise history.

Why This Inspires

Rose's journey represents more than statistics and awards. Injuries could have ended his career multiple times, but he persevered through setbacks that would have broken many athletes. His story reminds us that greatness isn't just about reaching the top but about the resilience to keep going when everything seems lost.

The ceremony also came on a perfect night for Bulls fans, happening right after their team secured a fourth straight win with a buzzer-beating three-pointer. The Bulls improved to 23-22 and sit ninth in the Eastern Conference, building momentum that would have made the young Rose proud.

Now Rose's jersey hangs forever alongside the greatest names in Chicago basketball history, a permanent reminder that dreams really do come true.

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