Any athlete faces an extensive choice when retiring, often filled with strong feelings and thoughts. It means the end of a career with many victories, struggles, and long hours of hard work. For many athletes, it is a mix of happiness and sadness—leaving behind the sport that has been a big part of their lives while looking forward to what comes next.
Derrick Rose, 35, officially announced his retirement on September 26, 2024, ending an impressive 15-year career. His decision follows the Memphis Grizzlies’ surprising release.
Returning to Memphis in the 2023 offseason was seen as a fresh start for the former MVP. He signed a two-year, $6.6 million contract to provide veteran leadership to a young, rising team.
Here is Rose’s complete statement on Retirement: “The next chapter is about chasing my dreams and sharing my growth. I believe true success comes from becoming who you were created to be, and I want to show the world who I am beyond basketball.”
“Whether good or bad, everyone has a ‘what if’ story. Even if I could, I wouldn’t change anything in mine, because it’s what helped me find real joy.”
How Derrick Rose Battled Through Injuries
The Chicago Bulls, his hometown team, chose Rose first in the 2008 NBA Draft. He quickly became well-known, winning the Rookie of the Year award in 2009 and becoming an All-Star in the next three seasons.
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His most significant achievement came in 2011 when he became the youngest player to win the MVP award at 22. That season, he averaged 25 points per game and helped the Bulls achieve 62 wins, the best in the league.
Derrick Rose’s career took a turn because of a series of injuries, starting with a torn ACL in 2012. These injuries led to many setbacks that made it hard for him to play at the same high level as before. Even with these challenges, he showed flashes of his old self and had a comeback as a sixth man for teams like the Timberwolves, Pistons, and Knicks.
Throughout his 15 NBA seasons, Rose played for several teams, including the Bulls, Knicks, Timberwolves, Cavaliers, Pistons, and Grizzlies.
He ended his career with averages of 17.4 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game over 723 regular-season games. Additionally, he was a strong candidate for the league’s Sixth Man of the Year award for three years from 2018 to 2021.
Also Read: Rumors Begin To Swirl As Derrick Rose Posted A Cryptic Video After Memphis Grizzlies Waived Him Off
