Former NBA MVP and Cavs guard retires after 16 seasons

Former NBA MVP and three-time All-Star guard Derrick Rose has announced his retirement after 16 seasons.

Rose, 35, announced his retirement in an Instagram post. The former Chicago Bulls star also took out full-page ads in local newspapers in the six NBA cities he played in – Chicago, New York, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Detroit and Memphis – to say goodbye to the sport of basketball.

“Thank you, my first love…” Rose wrote in his full-page ad in Thursday’s Plain Dealer.

“You gave me a gift, our time together, that I will cherish for the rest of my life. You told me it was okay to say goodbye and assured me that you would always be a part of me, no matter where life takes me. Forever yours, Derrick Rose,” he added.

Rose's resignation comes two days after he was released by the Memphis Grizzlies at his request on Tuesday. Rose, who played in 24 games for the Grizzlies during the 2023-24 season, was released with one season remaining on his two-year, $6.6 million contract with Memphis.

The three-time NBA All-Star was selected first overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. He was named NBA Rookie of the Year for the 2008-09 season, earned his first All-Star selection in his second season, and was named NBA MVP in his third season in 2010-11.

After eight seasons in Chicago, the last of which were marked by injuries, Rose played seven seasons for the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons and most recently the Grizzlies.

Rose finished his 16-year NBA career with averages of 17.4 points on 45.6% shooting, along with 5.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 30.5 minutes in 723 career games, including 518 starts.