At 22, Derrick Rose soared to greatness, becoming the youngest MVP in NBA history in 2011. His explosive talent made him a nightmare for defenders and a hero in Chicago. For 15 seasons, D-Rose dazzled fans, but injuries chipped away at his brilliance. In September 2024, he announced his retirement, closing a bittersweet chapter in basketball history. But legends never fade. The Chicago Bulls, where it all began, have planned a heartfelt tribute. And guess who’s joining the celebration?

LeBron James and Chris Paul, two of Rose’s fiercest rivals turned admirers. It’s time to honor a legacy. For that, the Chicago Bulls have announced they’ll pay tribute to their superstar via a special YouTube video called: “From Chicago: A Tribute to Derrick Rose.” In this video, whose update the team gave on Instagram, D-Rose’s biggest nemesis, LeBron James shared a very heartfelt message for the 36-year-old icon.

Bron said: “D-Rose will always be cemented in the game of basketball. Congratulations man, the best is still yet to come.” Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs star, Chris Paul also shared his thoughts: “I wish you nothing but the best. You gave so much to this game and hopefully, it can be returned to you.”

Besides, the Chicago Bulls are planning more than just a video tribute on social media. After all, it’s time to celebrate their superstar, Derrick Rose. Well, the former hooper did leave the team after spending 8 seasons in Chicago (2008-16). Yet, some relationships like this one are beyond the contracts of the league. Thus, the team’s unique decision to honor D-Rose makes so much sense.

The Chicago Bulls will retire Derrick Rose’s jersey number next season

First, Rose’s 11-year-old rival LeBron James keeps aside the competitive garb to celebrate Derrick’s legacy in the NBA. And now, the Chicago Bulls are about to retire jersey Number 1 in honor of one of their most charismatic and lethal point guards. Besides, the team has arranged for a special segment at the United Center on Saturday night.

Derrick Rose had once told ESPN’s Shams Charania that he would love to have his Chicago Bulls jersey number retired. And well, the team did hear his wishes and decided to turn them into reality. “Rose, a Chicago native, played eight seasons with the Bulls,” Charania wrote in a post on X. “…[He] is now being honored as a fabric of the organization.”