The Case for Electing Derrick Rose to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

Chicago native and former Chicago Bulls No. 1 draft pick Derrick Rose announced his retirement from the NBA via social media on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024.

Well before becoming a global NBA phenom, Rose was a Chicago Public League high school basketball superstar. Rose won two Illinois (IHSA) state high school basketball titles for Simeon , was named Illinois Mr. Basketball in 2007, and earned national recognition as a 2006-07 McDonald's All-American selection.

Rose's professional career is considered by many to be an episodic "what-if" story.  During Game 1 of the Bulls' 2012 first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, Rose tore his ACL in his left knee late in the fourth quarter of that contest , ending his season and sidelining him for the entire 2012-13 campaign.

An expected comeback in 2013-14 was cut short by a right knee torn meniscus injury Rose suffered on Nov. 22, 2013 against the Portland Trail Blazers. While Rose never returned to elite NBA form after that season due to multiple injury setbacks, he still has a strong case for election to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame based on his resume at the NCAA, FIBA, and NBA levels.

Bold Beginning: Derrick Rose in College

Derrick Rose starred in a single college season at Memphis in 2007-08 .  Rose started 39 of 40 games for the Tigers, culminating with Memphis's first Final Four appearance in 22 years. Rose and the Tigers finished as runners-up to the Kansas Jayhawks.

During his time at Memphis, Rose earned all-conference first-team honors, conference rookie of the year honors, and All-NCAA Tournament honors.

Derrick Rose International: FIBA Accolades

Derrick Rose enjoyed a decorated FIBA career highlighted by gold medals in 2010 and 2014. As a member of the 2010 USA Team for the FIBA World Cup , Rose was a starting guard on a roster that prominently featured emerging superstar Kevin Durant.

During his second FIBA World Cup stint in 2014 , Rose primarily occupied a reserve role that served as a litmus test for his game shape after recovering from his early-season torn meniscus injury in the fall of 2013.

Derrick Rose's Electrifying NBA Run

Derrick Rose arrived in the NBA in storybook fashion, being selected No. 1 overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by his hometown Chicago Bulls. Rose electrified NBA arenas en route to winning the 2008-09 Rookie of the Year Award.

In his second season, Rose earned the first of his three NBA All-Star game selections (2010, 2011, 2012). Rose reached his career pinnacle of accolades in 2010-11 as he earned All-NBA First Team honors and became the youngest MVP in league history. Additionally, Rose catalyzed the Bulls back to playoff glory as they reached the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals, a series Chicago lost 4-1 to the Miami Heat.

Rose's peak national and international career accomplishments may be concentrated in a span of four seasons between his NCAA career, 2010 FIBA World Cup appearance, and first three NBA seasons with the Bulls. However, there's no shortage of basketball achievements in his career that fit the mission of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame: "To honor and celebrate basketball’s greatest moments and people."

Derrick Rose owns a sizable piece of basketball history that embodies greatness and is worthy of all-time celebration in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Subscribe to On Tap Sports Net on YouTube and the Bulls On Tap podcast for more Chicago Bulls content, updates, and hot takes!