(670 The Score) Bulls great Derrick Rose’s name and No. 1 will forever hang in the United Center rafters.
Rose’s No. 1 jersey will officially be retired next season, the team announced Saturday. Bulls president/CEO Michael Reinsdorf delivered the news to Rose during an in-person conversation on Saturday morning, the same day that the team will hold Derrick Rose Night at the United Center while hosting the New York Knicks.
Rose joins Michael Jordan (No. 23), Scottie Pippen (No. 33), Bob Love (No. 10) and Jerry Sloan (No. 4) as Bulls greats to have their jerseys retired. The NBA retired Bill Russell’s jersey (No. 6) across the league after his passing in 2022.
“Derrick is both a hometown hero and a symbol of an entire era of Bulls basketball,” chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. “Retiring a jersey recognizes a player’s impact beyond on-court achievements. It honors individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the organization and forged deep, lasting connections with fans. It recognizes that emotional bond and the great influence a player has had on the team and organization’s identity. We are proud to add Derrick to the elite group of players – Jerry Sloan, Bob Love, Michael Jordan, and Scottie Pippen – whose jerseys have been officially retired by the Chicago Bulls.”
Rose’s jersey retirement ceremony will be held sometime during the 2025-’26 season, with details to be announced at a later date. No other player will ever wear No. 1 for the Bulls.
"Derrick’s talent was extraordinary, but what always impressed me most was how he remained humble and let his basketball play speak for him,” Michael Reinsdorf said in a statement. "To watch Derrick the player was a thrill, but to get to know Derrick the person was an honor. His accomplishments on and off the court are what made him truly special. His connection with Chicago was undeniable when he was here, and it has only grown stronger and more profound over time. It will be an emotional moment to see Derrick watch his jersey go up into the rafters, surrounded by the family, friends, and fans who mean so much to him.”
A Chicago native, Rose was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. He won the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2009 and was named the league MVP in 2011, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to earn the honor. Rose was a three-time All-Star while spending eight seasons with the Bulls.