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The Chicago Bulls will reportedly honor franchise legend Derrick Rose at United Center on January 4, when the team hosts the New York Knicks.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported the news on the Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday.
Rose recently retired after a 16-year NBA career. His best days were with the Bulls, who selected the former Memphis star with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.
Rose’s best season was 2010-11, when he won the NBA Most Valuable Player award and led the 62-win Bulls to an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Born and raised in Chicago, Rose played high school ball for Simeon Career Academy and won two state titles. He also earned McDonald’s All-American honors before heading to Memphis.
Naturally, Rose returned to Chicago to great fanfare in 2008. He immediately faced the hype and then some in 2008-09, winning Rookie of the Year honors after averaging 16.8 points and 6.3 assists per game.
Rose remained with the Bulls through the 2015-16 season, making three All-Star teams along the way. Unfortunately, injuries sidelined Rose for most of his tenure, including a torn ACL he suffered in the 2012 playoffs that cost him the entire 2012-13 season.
He was still great at his best in Chicago, averaging 19.7 points and 6.2 assists during his time there.
Rose then played eight more seasons, suiting up for the New York Knicks (twice), Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, and Memphis Grizzlies.
As Charania pointed out, the first weekend of January “is basically going to be Derrick Rose’s weekend in Chicago.” That’s certainly understandable given Rose’s legacy and importance to Chicago, with the honor he received during Saturday night’s game against New York highlighted.
