Former NBA MVP Derrick Rose announced his retirement from the league over social media on Thursday.
Rose, 35, was selected by his hometown Chicago Bulls with the top overall pick of the 2008 NBA Draft and was named the 2008-09 Rookie of the Year.
At 22, Rose became the youngest player in league history to be named the NBA MVP during the 2010-11 season.
Rose also detailed his love of basketball in his post on Instagram.
“Thank you, my first love,” he wrote. “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 made every early morning and late night we spent together worth every drop of sweat. You reminded me that I could always rely on you, that in every moment of doubt, you would show me what I’m capable of.”
“You introduced me to new places and cultures that a kid from Chicago could have never imagined. You taught me that every loss was a lesson and every win was a reason to be grateful. You offered wisdom that was not just about the game, but about life, discipline, hard work, perseverance. You showed me that passion is something to cherish, ensuring that i pour my heart into every dribble, every shot, every play. 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.”
The Bulls and Knicks showed their appreciation of Rose with posts on social media.
Rose’s career took a turn for the worse after he tore an ACL during the first round of the 2012 playoffs. He sat out the following season and was limited to 10 games in 2013-14.
A three-time All-Star, Rose established career averages of 17.4 points, 5.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 723 career games (518 starts) with the Bulls (2008-16), New York Knicks (2016-17, 2021-23), Cleveland Cavaliers (2017-18), Minnesota Timberwolves (2018-19), Detroit Pistons (2019-21) and Memphis Grizzlies (2023-24).
Injuries limited Rose to 24 games (seven starts) in 2023-24, and he averaged 8.0 points, 3.3 assists and 1.9 rebounds.