Derrick Rose retires: Best moments from his 16-year career

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 31: Derrick Rose #25 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates a play during the fourth quarter of the game against the Utah Jazz on October 31, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Rose scored 50 points. The Timberwolves defeated the Jazz 128-125. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) — Derrick Rose, who retired from the NBA on Thursday, dropped 50 points on the Utah Jazz in 2018. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Derrick Rose, 16-year NBA veteran, 2009 Rookie of the Year and 2011 MVP, announced his retirement from professional basketball on Thursday. And NBA players like Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks are paying tribute to him.

While he may no longer be contributing on the court, Rose leaves a legacy behind that is uniquely his. Let’s take a look at some of the best moments from his career.

Drafted first overall in 2008

Born and raised in Chicago, Rose getting drafted first overall by his hometown Chicago Bulls in 2008 was straight out of a storybook.

Wins Rookie of the Year in 2009

The fairytale continued during the 2008-09 NBA season. He won Rookie of the Year, and had a dynamite playoff debut.

The second DRose stepped foot in the NBA, you could tell he was a problem 💯

He was named 2008-09 Rookie of the Year after averaging 16.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.2 assists. pic.twitter.com/YGQh1EjedM

— Kicks (@kicks) September 26, 2024

14 Years Ago Today 🌹
20-year-old Derrick Rose’s impressive Playoff debut: 36 PTS (12/19 FG, 12/12 FT) & 11 AST

Ben Gordon on Rose: “He’s poised beyond his years. He already carries himself like a veteran out there.” pic.twitter.com/KYT1kQC7tD

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) April 18, 2023

Becomes youngest player in NBA history to win MVP in 2011

Just two years after winning Rookie of the Year, Rose — just 22 at the time — had a monster season.

Two minutes of Derrick Rose just carving up the defense and finishing below the rim during his 2010-2011 MVP season.

This is poetry. 🌹 pic.twitter.com/2ns8Ud7VuK

— Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) April 18, 2020

His exceptional season won him the MVP in 2011, and he remains the youngest player to ever win the award.

My lasting memory of Derrick Rose won’t be the incredible highlights of his career, but his incredibly humbling MVP speech where he gave loving tribute to his mother’s effort to raise him into the athlete he became.

Impossible to watch without crying. #ThankYouDRose 🌹 pic.twitter.com/pP5z3gGTcA

— FAKE (@FakePearBear) September 26, 2024

Sinks buzzer-beater against the Cavs in 2015 playoffs

The Bulls were eliminated in the Eastern Conference semifinals by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2015 playoffs, but not before Rose stole a win for the Bulls with a Game 3 buzzer-beater.

Scores a career-high 50 points against the Jazz in 2018

Rose, who by 2017 had endured four knee surgeries over the course of his career, came alive on Oct. 31, 2018 against the Utah Jazz. He dropped a career-high 50 points that night, which turned out to be incredibly emotional for him.

According to Rose’s teammate Jeff Teague, Rose said before the game that he was going to score 50 on the Jazz. And as he got closer and closer, the entire Timberwolves team began to break out in tears watching their teammate, who had been through so much, own the court like that.

Breaks out for Knicks in 2021 playoffs

After the Pistons traded Rose to the Knicks in 2021, he put up a pair of impressive games in New York’s first-round matchup against Atlanta. In Game 2 of the series, he put up 26 points off the bench in the Knicks’ lone win of the series. He started Game 3 and dropped 30 points, again leading all Knicks scorers.