Derrick Rose would 'love' Bulls to retire his jersey

Former Bulls guard Derrick Rose is set to be honored in Chicago on Saturday, and he shared his desire to one day see his No. 1 jersey hanging in the rafters of the United Center.

"I would love that," Rose told ESPN's Shams Charania.

Rose spent eight seasons in Chicago after being drafted No. 1 overall by the Bulls in the 2008 NBA Draft. He went on to win the 2008-09 Rookie of the Year award in his inaugural season.

He followed that up with three straight All-Star appearances and became the youngest Most Valuable Player in NBA history, winning the award in 2010-11 at 22 years old. Rose averaged a career-high 25 points in his MVP year, leading the Bulls to the best record in the Eastern Conference and their first Eastern Conference finals appearance since Michael Jordan retired.

Rose was the only former league MVP omitted from the NBA 75th Anniversary Team when it was unveiled in 2021.

"That would be my way of getting close to the Top 75 ... and I'm only saying that because it relates to the MVP thing," Rose said of having his jersey retired. "It's only a handful, a small group that got that trophy back there."

Rose averaged 19.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.2 assists during his time with the Bulls, but a torn ACL in 2013 stumped his potential. Rose missed the entire 2013-14 season and never returned to All-Star status again.

His Bulls tenure ended in the 2016 offseason when he was traded to the New York Knicks.

No other player has worn Rose's No. 1 jersey in a game for Chicago since his departure.

The Bulls have retired four jersey numbers: Jerry Sloan's No. 4, Bob Love's No. 10, Jordan's No. 23, and Scottie Pippen's No. 33.

In addition to the Bulls and Knicks, Rose also spent time with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Memphis Grizzlies. He holds career averages of 17.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists on 45.6% shooting across 15 seasons.

The Bulls are hosting Derrick Rose Night during Saturday's contest against the Knicks. Both teams will don shooting shirts honoring Rose in pregame shootaround, while Chicago will unveil the Derrick Rose Atrium Experience, which will spotlight memorabilia from his career.