With the much-anticipated retirement of Derrick Rose’s Chicago Bulls jersey just weeks away, fans had an early opportunity to honor the basketball icon on Sunday.
Enthusiasts dressed in their finest D-Rose apparel were encouraged to leave heartfelt messages for the Chicago-born star, celebrating his storied career and lasting impact.
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January 4, 2026, marks the second annual celebration of “Derrick Rose Day” in Chicago, a day dedicated to the beloved hometown hero.
Attendees of a Sunday event in Blue Island not only paid tribute but also had the chance to win VIP suite tickets for the upcoming jersey retirement ceremony at the United Center.
The Chicago Bulls have scheduled Derrick Rose’s jersey retirement ceremony for January 24, 2026, as announced earlier this season.
In a special postgame event at the United Center, Rose’s iconic No. 1 jersey will be hoisted to the rafters following a game against the Boston Celtics that evening.
Rose’s number will be the fifth jersey retired by the franchise — joining Jerry Sloan (4), Bob Love (10), Michael Jordan (23) and Scottie Pippen (33).
Rose, a Chicago native, retired before the start of the 2024-25 season following a 15-year career in the NBA, which began when he was selected No. 1 overall by the hometown Bulls. He spent eight seasons in Chicago, winning Rookie of the Year in 2009 and being named the youngest Most Valuable Player in league history in 2011. Rose led the Bulls to the NBA’s best record during that season at 62-20 and a trip to the Eastern Conference finals, the furthest the franchise has advanced in the playoffs since Jordan retired from the team in 1998.
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In addition to the Bulls, Rose also played for the Knicks, Pistons, Timberwolves, Cavs and Grizzlies through the span of 723 career games and three All-Star Game appearances.
The Bulls also honored Rose last January following his retirement, which included the mayor of Chicago proclaiming Jan. 4, 2025 as the first “Derrick Rose Day” in the city and team president and CEO Michael Reinsdorf telling Rose in-person that the franchise planned to retire his jersey.
ESPN contributed to this report.
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