Former MVP Derrick Rose announces end to 16-year NBA career

Sept. 26 (UPI) -- Former NBA MVP Derrick Rose will retire from the league, ending a decorated 16-year tenure, he announced Thursday on social media.

"Thank you, my first love," Rose wrote on Instagram and X. "You believed in me through the highs and the lows, my constant when everything else seemed uncertain. You showed me what love truly meant."

Rose, 35, spent eight of his 16 years in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls after entering the league as the No. 1 overall pick by the Bulls in the 2008 NBA Draft.

The three-time All-Star averaged 17.4 points, 5.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds over 723 career appearances. He also suited up for the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies.

He took out full-page newspaper ads Thursday in the six cities he played in to announce his retirement.

"You gave me a gift, our time together, one that I will cherish for the rest of my days," Rose wrote. "You told me it's OK to say goodbye, reassuring me that you'll always be a part of me, no matter where life takes me."

Rose averaged 8.0 points, 3.3 assists and 1.9 rebounds per game over 24 appearances last season for the Grizzlies. He was set to make $3.4 million in 2024-25, the final year of his contract with the franchise. Earlier this week, the Grizzlies granted Rose's request to release him from his contract.

Rose, known for his slashing drives, acrobatic finishes and fearless attacks of the rim, parlayed those skills into Rookie of the Year honors in 2008-09. He became league MVP in 2010-11, when he averaged a career-high 25 points per game, along with 7.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds per appearance.

LeBron James won every other MVP award from 2008-09 through 2012-2013.

Shortly after his MVP year, Rose's career was derailed by injuries, including an ACL tear that resulted in missing the entire 2012-13 season. He also missed the majority of the 2013-14 season and was traded to the Knicks in 2016.

He never returned to a full-time starting role after the 2016-17 season, but regained form as a role player over the final years of his NBA tenure.