Derrick Rose is going to experience what it feels like to have your name in the same line as Michael Jordan. Yep, the 3x All Star will be joining the 6x NBA champ and more with Chicago Bulls now set to retire his jersey. Opening up on this major honor for D-Rose was Bulls’ head coach Billy Donovan during a recent press meet.

In a press conference shared by Fox 32 Chicago’s YouTube channel, Donovan admitted he didn’t know if this honor was going to happen. But hearing the news and reflecting on Rose’s legacy struck a chord with him.

“I didn’t know if it was going to happen… Listening to [Joakim Noah] speak about Derrick as a winner, a competitor, the kind of person he is. He’s from Chicago… I’m happy for him that he’s being honored,” Donovan said. It’s not just about the stats or the accolades, though.

Rose’s MVP season and unforgettable highlights certainly earned their place in history. Donovan, however, pointed out that what truly stands out is how people talk about Derrick Rose as a teammate and a person. “I think his performance on the floor speaks for itself while he was here. But just the way people speak about him as a teammate and the guy is pretty impressive. So I’m happy for him,” he said during the press meet.

This announcement officially makes D-Rose the fifth Bulls player to receive this franchise-defining honor. With this, he will now be joining legends like Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Jerry Sloan, and Bob Love. As for the retirement ceremony, it’s set for the 2025-26 season.

The announcement came from Bulls President & CEO Michael Reinsdorf himself during a conversation with Derrick Rose in Chicago on Saturday morning. Reinsdorf also lauded the 3x All Star, calling him both a “hometown hero” and a symbol of a significant era in Bulls basketball.

“Retiring a jersey recognizes a player’s impact beyond on-court achievements. It honors individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the organization…” the Bulls President said.

Yep, D-Rose’s influence extends beyond the bounds of NBA hardwood. For those unaware, it was the Rose Rule, introduced during his early career, that allowed young players signing rookie scale extensions to earn up to 30 percent of a team’s salary cap. Thus forever changing the NBA landscape. But immortalizing the impact doesn’t seem to tick the box for the icon.

Derrick Rose wants to avoid another ultimate honor by the Bulls

Imagine the Chicago Bulls unveiling a Derrick Rose statue outside the United Center. Sounds fitting for a hometown hero, right? Not so fast. The 2011 MVP has some strong feelings about this idea. And they’re not what you might expect.

During an interview with ESPN, the 3x All Star made it clear that having his jersey retired would be an incredible honor. But the thought of a statue makes him uneasy. “The statues, the way people been creating the statues, no, I do not want no statue,” Rose admitted.

It’s hard not to connect his comments to the Miami Heat’s recent statue of Dwyane Wade. That unveiling drew mixed reactions, with many fans poking fun at the way D-Wade’s face in the statue looked. While The Flash shrugged it off, D-Rose feels differently.

Looking straight at the camera, Derrick Rose sent a heartfelt plea to the Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf and president Michael Reinsdorf. “Jerry, no statue, bro. Please, Michael, no statue.” It’s safe to say for now, jersey retirement is what the 3x All Star is contended with.