CHICAGO, Ill. – The Chicago Bulls will raise Derrick Rose’s No. 1 jersey in January 2026. The night marks the end of an era and the celebration of another. Rose, the first overall pick in 2008, became an instant hometown star. He earned Rookie of the Year in 2009 and three All-Star selections. In 2011 he became the youngest MVP in league history at 22. That season, the Bulls went 62–20 and reached the Eastern Conference Finals, their furthest run since Michael Jordan retired. As Derrick Rose’s jersey retirement ceremony approaches, fans remember the guard’s finest moments in Chicago. These five stand as the clearest reminders of what Rose brought to the franchise.
Derrick Rose’s Greatest Bulls Moments As Chicago Retires His Jersey
Explosive Playoff Debut
Rose’s first playoff game remains unforgettable. In April 2009, the 20-year-old rookie stunned the defending champion Celtics. He scored 36 points and handed out 11 assists in a 105–103 overtime win. Rose shot 12-of-19 from the floor and made all 12 free throws. He became only the second rookie in NBA history with at least 35 points and 10 assists in a playoff game. Chicago fans still see it as the moment he arrived as a star.
High-Flying Dunk on Phoenix
Nine months later, Rose delivered one of his signature highlights. In January 2010, he dunked over Goran Dragic in a win against the Suns. The two-handed fast-break slam became a poster moment of his career. The United Center crowd saw his speed, strength, and elevation all in one play. Even today, that dunk remains one of the decade’s most replayed Bulls highlights.
Peak MVP Performance
Rose’s 2010–11 season defined his career. He capped it with a brilliant playoff performance in Atlanta. In May 2011, just three days after being named MVP, he scored 44 points against the Hawks. He added seven assists and five rebounds while shooting 16-of-27. That game gave the Bulls a 2–1 series lead. It also cemented his standing as the league’s most electrifying guard.
Christmas Day Magic
Rose also shined under the brightest lights. On Christmas Day 2011, he lifted the Bulls over the Lakers with a late basket. With less than five seconds left, Rose hit a twisting runner over Pau Gasol. The shot gave Chicago an 86–84 win on national television. It was the kind of fearless play that defined his early years.
Halloween Homecoming
Rose’s return from ACL injury in October 2013 gave fans another iconic moment. In his first home game back, he sank a game-winning floater against the Knicks. He struggled much of the night but did not hesitate when it mattered most. The high-arching shot sealed an 82–81 win. It also showed Chicago that its star was ready to fight again.
A Legacy in Chicago
These moments reveal Rose’s full impact — electrifying, fearless, and unforgettable. From Rookie of the Year to league MVP, he carried Chicago’s hopes. As Derrick Rose’s jersey retirement approaches, Bulls fans will remember a career that mixed triumph and resilience. His jersey rising into the rafters cements him as a true Chicago legend.
© Mike DiNovo-Imagn Images
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