Relive Derrick Rose Night at the United Center as the youngest NBA MVP reflects on his journey, legacy, and contributions to Chicago (Photo Credit: @chicagobulls/Instagram).
“MVP! MVP! MVP!” echoed throughout the United Center on Saturday night as Derrick Rose was honored in a ceremony attended by coaches, teammates, family, friends and his beloved fans.
It was a journey of self-discovery and growth. Those lessons taught Rose how to ask the right questions and find answers—not just for himself but for his family and those around him.
He reflected on his early years, “When I was 18 or 19, I thought, ‘I can make it to the league.’ For anyone out there feeling the same way, trust me, I’ve been there. I know what it feels like to want change to happen immediately. You’re ready for everything to unfold as fast as possible, but I had to wait three or four years, which sometimes felt like torture.”
In another reflection, he advised his younger self: “I’d tell myself to be patient. I was so impatient back then, and looking back, I realized that impatience stemmed from a lack of confidence. If I had truly believed in myself, I would’ve known things would work out, setbacks or not.”
As for retirement, Derrick explained, “I’ve had time to reflect, but I don’t spend much time thinking about ‘what if’ scenarios. Those thoughts crossed my mind years ago, but now I focus on the present. Every story is different, and mine just happened to unfold this way. Coming from Chicago, we’ve learned how to roll with the punches.”
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Derrick Rose Gives Back to Chicago
Rose’s legacy extends beyond basketball. On Thursday, Jan. 2, Derrick Rose kicked off the New Year by giving back to his hometown in a unique way.
He opened a flower pop-up shop in downtown Chicago, distributing thousands of free roses as a tribute to his last name and as a thank you to his fans.
Later that evening, Rose attended an event at Soho House in the West Loop, where he debuted his first mini-documentary, “Becoming a Rose,” a heartfelt love letter to Chicago that featured his son, Derrick “PJ” Rose Jr.
In recognition of his contributions to the Englewood community and his iconic career, Rose was honored with a proclamation declaring Jan. 4, 2025, as “D Rose Day.” Growing Home’s new pollinator garden was named after him as part of his enduring impact.
As a champion for healthy communities, Rose continues to inspire the next generation. Adidas unveiled a flower mural of him at Clybourn Park with over 100,000 Roses to celebrate his basketball career and collaboration with the sports brand.
On Friday, Jan. 3, Rose returned to his alma mater, Simeon High School, for a fun game with kids and adults, where he even played alongside his son, PJ. Rose also announced Simeon as the first official “Derrick Rose School” in partnership with Adidas, marking the beginning of his mentorship era.
These events led to the highly anticipated Derrick Rose Night on Saturday.
Honoring Rose’s Leadership and Impact
During the press conference before the game, Chicago Bulls Coach Billy Donovan admired Derrick Rose, saying, “It’s a great honor for Derrick. His performance speaks for itself, but what stands out is how his teammates speak about him as a competitor and a person. He’s a winner, and he’s from Chicago. I’m happy for him, and he truly deserves this recognition.”
When asked about life after basketball, Donovan shared his perspective: “Every player’s journey is different. Some dive into business ventures, while others miss the game and stay involved through coaching. I’ve seen players go into coaching all over the world. Ultimately, it’s about finding a new purpose—whether in basketball or outside of it.”
Donovan added, “Many players give back to their communities through youth programs or mentoring. The key is finding that next chapter, especially when players retire young but still have much life ahead. Financial security allows them to focus on what truly excites them in the future.”
New York Knicks Coach Tom Thibodeau was also asked about Derrick’s leadership, especially considering how quiet he was behind the scenes.
“Derrick’s leadership was all about his actions,” Thibodeau said. “He didn’t need to say much—his behavior spoke for itself. He treated everyone with respect, and that had a huge impact on the team. Look at Jalen Brunson—Derrick played a key role in Jalen’s development, especially when Jalen was younger.”
“Derrick’s leadership wasn’t about giving speeches but lifting others and helping them be their best,” said Thibodeau.
The Knicks coach said Rose brought the team closer.
“I think the team’s chemistry, the way they connected, was partially because of Derrick. He had a major influence behind the scenes, and though he wasn’t always vocal, his actions left a lasting impact,” he said.
The Half-Time Ceremony: A People’s Champ Gets His Roses
The half-time ceremony was filled with heartfelt tributes to Rose. Speeches were delivered by Bulls announcers Neil Funk and Stacey King, as well as former teammate Joakim Noah. It was Noah’s speech that moved Rose to tears.
“You’re not just the MVP. You’re The People’s Champ,” said Noah, who played with Rose for eight years as a member of the Bulls.
Joakim Noah to Derrick Rose during the halftime celebration:
“You are the MVP of Chicago. … You always put your city on your back and you carried that with you. You’re not only the MVP, Pooh, you’re the people’s champ.”
📰 | @SamSmithHoops on Derrick Rose Night:
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 5, 2025
Noah continued, emphasizing that his teammate’s contributions went beyond statistics. “Every time you step onto the court at the United Center, the fans chant ‘MVP,’ and rightfully so. You’re not only the youngest MVP in NBA history but also the MVP of Chicago.”
“You’re more than just an MVP; you’re a symbol of perseverance. I’m proud to watch you evolve and stand firm through this journey. It’s a testament to everything you represent,” Noah said, finishing his speech. Afterward, he invited the crowd to watch a short documentary about Rose.
When it was the man of the hour’s turn, he could only express profound gratitude for every teammate he’s had and for everyone who came out to show love and support.
Passing Lessons to the Next Generation
Rose’s son PJ takes some practice shots before the Derrick Rose Night festivities (Photo Credit: Marshelle Sanders).
He shared a lesson with PJ, who appeared emotionally moved.
“At the start of this video, I asked PJ, ‘Do you want to be good or great?’ He didn’t know the answer, but that was my way of tricking him. I wanted him to understand that greatness isn’t just about basketball; it applies to everything in life.”
Rose shared in his speech accountability and the importance of owning every decision on and off the court. “When you say you want to be great, you have to be accountable for everything you do,” he said. “That’s something I want PJ to carry with him—not just in basketball, but in every choice he makes.”
Rose reflected on his journey, stating, “Thank you, Chicago, for pushing me to be great. You helped me realize my potential, even when I didn’t fully understand it. Sometimes, I thought I was trying to be great, but I was on the path the whole time.
Following the ceremony, the Chicago Bulls secured a 139-126 victory over the New York Knicks, capping off a memorable night.
Looking Ahead: Jersey Retirement and New Chapters
After being feted like the hometown hero he is, the Bulls gave Rose the ultimate honor when they announced that his No. 1 jersey would be officially retired. He will be the fifth player in franchise history to receive this honor. The ceremony is set to occur during the 2025-26 NBA season. More details will be announced later.
Rose will join the ranks of Jerry Sloan (No. 4), Bob Love (No. 10), Michael Jordan (No. 23) and Scottie Pippen (No. 33).
At the conclusion of his ceremony, Rose once again thanked everyone who has supported him since he was a kid growing up in Englewood.
“I want to thank everyone who’s been there since I was in sixth grade—through injuries, losses, and the highs and lows. You all saw me grow,” Rose said. “And now, this new version of me, this businessman you see today—that’s who I am. Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this journey.”
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