Derrick Rose retires from basketball: Reports

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Derrick Rose announced he is retiring from basketball after playing for fifteen seasons on Thursday, according to NBA Insider for The Athletic.

The 35-year-old played college basketball at the University of Memphis before being drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the 2008 NBA draft. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year and the NBA Most Valuable Player Award.

Rose is the youngest MVP in NBA history. After playing with the Chicago Bulls for seven seasons, he was traded to the New York Knicks for four seasons. He then went to the Minnesota Timberwolves for two seasons and to the Detroit Pistons for 1 season. Rose ended his 16-year basketball career where he started in Memphis, Tennessee, with the Grizzlies.

He told sources that, “the next chapter is about chasing my dreams and sharing my growth. I believe true success comes from becoming who you were created to be, and I want to show the world who I am beyond basketball.”

In an Instagram post, Rose shared a photo of a statement he wrote in the Commercial Appeal newspaper in Memphis. Reports state that he also shared the same statement with newspapers in other cities where he played including Chicago, New York, Cleveland, Minneapolis, and Detroit.

Rose wrote the following statement,

“Thank you, my first love. 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 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,” Forever yours, Derrick Rose.

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