It was the moment Chicago had been waiting for—and dreading—since the day he was traded away in 2016. On Saturday night at the United Center, the prodigal son finally returned for good.
In an emotional ceremony following the Bulls’ game against the Boston Celtics, Derrick Rose’s No. 1 jersey was raised to the rafters, officially becoming the fifth retired number in franchise history. He joins an exclusive fraternity of legends: Jerry Sloan (4), Bob Love (10), Michael Jordan (23), and Scottie Pippen (33).
For a generation of Bulls fans, Rose was more than just a player; he was the heartbeat of the city. Born and raised in Englewood, he was the “Rose that grew from concrete,” the homegrown superstar who became the youngest MVP in NBA history at just 22 years old.
The Ceremony The atmosphere in the United Center was electric, arguably louder than it has been for any game this season. The ceremony began with a chilling tribute video narrated by former teammates, ending with a surprise message from Michael Jordan himself. “You represented the city of Chicago, the Bulls, and your family very, very well,” Jordan said in the video message. “I’m looking forward to seeing your jersey hanging up there with mine”.
As the lights dimmed, Rose stood at center court surrounded by his family and former “Bench Mob” teammates Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, and Kirk Hinrich. When the banner began its slow ascent to the ceiling, the stoic guard who rarely showed emotion during his playing days finally broke. Tears streamed down his face as the crowd chanted “M-V-P” one last time—a chant that used to shake the very foundation of the arena during his prime.
The Speech Taking the microphone, Rose kept it humble, focusing on gratitude rather than his accolades. He spoke directly to the kids of Chicago, a message he has championed since his retirement. “I wanted to show you that it’s possible,” Rose told the crowd. “To come from where we come from and end up up there… it’s possible”.
The Legacy Critics often point to the “what ifs”—the ACL tear in 2012, the meniscus injuries, the championship window that slammed shut too early. But Saturday night wasn’t about what was lost; it was about what was given. For a few glorious years, Derrick Rose made the Bulls the center of the basketball universe again. He played with a violence and beauty that the league had never seen before and hasn’t seen since.
Now, no player will ever wear No. 1 for the Chicago Bulls again. It belongs to the kid from Englewood.
