Written by: Quincy Bentley | Sports Editor
One of the most captivating talents in National Basketball Association — NBA — history, Derrick Rose, announced his retirement from basketball Sep. 26, 2024. For the fans who had followed his career from the beginning, this moment spurred a mix of emotions. Rose’s career was tumultuous and demanding, giving fans an example of a relentless determination to overcome obstacles that would have broken most athletes. His decision to retire officially ended the chapter on one of the most valued, yet tragic figures in NBA history.
Derrick Rose’s rise to fame occurred years before he set foot in the NBA. Rose was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago and attended high school at Simeon Career Academy. He led his high school team to two Illinois state championships, which earned him national recognition. His elite athleticism, speed and ability to finish at the rim made him one of the most sought-after prospects in the country.
After high school, Rose gained attention from NBA scouts while playing college basketball at the University of Memphis. He led Memphis to the most wins in National Collegiate Athletic Association — NCAA — history, Memphis’ first number-one ranking and an appearance in the national championship game. This groundbreaking season by Rose allowed him to put his name into the NBA draft, finally fulfilling his dream and beginning the story of his life.
In 2008, Rose was drafted to the Chicago Bulls as the number one overall pick and instantly rose to stardom. His fast-paced play, explosive dunks and top-tier playmaking ability made him a fan favorite. Not only was he the best player on his team, he was arguably the best player in college basketball at the time.
As a rookie, Rose averaged 16.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and even led all rookies in the passing category by racking up 6.3 assists per game.
After his first year, Rose became an NBA All-Star for three consecutive years. He succeeded on the court and reached his prime midway through his career. In his third season, Rose became the youngest player in NBA history to take home the MVP award, winning at the age of 22. That year, he averaged 25 points and 7.7 assists and also led the Chicago Bulls to the Eastern Conference Finals. Unfortunately, their run was cut short by LeBron James and the Miami Heat’s “Big Three.”
Sadly, in game one of the 2012 playoffs, Rose tore his ACL in his left knee. This was the season after he won MVP, making the injury even more consequential and mentally taxing on Rose. Rose was then sidelined for the entire 2012-2013 season, and over those next two years, he only played 10 games because of this gruesome injury. Once Rose did return to the court in the 2013-2014 season, fans and players could see that he was not the same player he once was.
During the 2016 offseason, the Chicago Bulls decided to part ways with Rose, trading him to the New York Knicks for guard Dennis Smith Jr. and a second-round draft pick. This devastated Rose, and his reaction was documented for the public to see. Rose was visibly emotional when he received the news, leading him to break down in front of the cameras.
Throughout the next couple of seasons, Rose suffered additional knee injuries, including a torn meniscus in his right knee. These setbacks robbed him of the explosive athleticism that had made him such a unique talent. Fans were distraught to see how different of a player Rose had become, and that his body truly couldn’t hold up to the demands of the NBA anymore.
Throughout Rose’s career, he played for the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Although he never got back to the same playstyle he once had, Rose found a way to adapt as a role player.
One of the most emotional moments of his career came Oct. 31, 2018, while playing with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Rose scored a career-high 50 points in a victory over the Utah Jazz. Tears filled Rose’s eyes as he was embraced by teammates, visibly emotional in his post-game interview — when asked what this game meant to him, Rose responded, “Everything, man, I worked my ass off.”
For many, this performance symbolized Rose’s spirit. That night, his refusal to let injuries define him or his career was put on full display.
Statistically, even though his numbers may not reflect the full amount of his impact, Rose finished his career with averages of 17.7 points and 5.3 assists per game. Fortunately, the NBA community understands that Rose’s influence on the game goes beyond stats.
When looking back at his historical career, what-ifs remain: What might have been if Derrick Rose’s body held up? How many championships could the Bulls have won with a healthy Rose leading the charge?
Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu
