Story by
Former Grizzlies guard, NBA MVP Derrick Rose announces retirement after 16-year career
- Story by
- Former Grizzlies guard, NBA MVP Derrick Rose announces retirement after 16-year career
Former Memphis Grizzlies point guard Derrick Rose has announced his NBA retirement after a 16-year career.
Rose, 35, announced the decision on social media Thursday.
"Knowing that I gave my all to the game, I feel confident in my decision," Rose told ESPN . "Basketball was just the beginning for me. Now, it's important that I give my all to my family − they deserve that."
Rose took out newspaper ads Thursday in each of the six NBA cities he played in, including the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
Advertisement
"You told me it's okay to say goodbye, reassuring me that you'll always be a part of me, no matter where life takes me," Rose said in part.
Derrick Rose took out a full page ad in The Memphis Commercial Appeal and five other newspapers on Thursday.
Rose signed with the Grizzlies in 2023 and was adamant that he joined Memphis to play, despite getting many questions about how he could potentially mentor star point guard Ja Morant . He played 16.6 minutes per game but was limited to 24 appearances due to nagging injuries.
Rose said in April that he intended to return for another season. However, Memphis granted Rose's request earlier this week to let him out of the final year of his contract.
Advertisement
Rose appeared in three NBA All-Star games and became the league's youngest MVP in 2011. He spent seven seasons with the Chicago Bulls , four with the New York Knicks , two as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves and one season apiece with the Grizzlies and Cleveland Cavaliers . Rose ended his career in Memphis, which is also where he became a star as a freshman with the Tigers en route to becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft.
Rose won Rookie of the Year in 2009 with the Bulls and followed it up with three straight all-star appearances. However, knee injuries took a toll on the uber-athletic point guard. He missed the entire 2012-13 season due to an ACL injury and only played 10 games the following season. He spent two more seasons in Chicago before joining the Knicks.
Even though he was never an all-star again, Rose re-shaped his game by relying on his shiftiness to get him into the paint for floaters and developing a more consistent jump shot. From 2019-21, Rose finished in the top six for NBA Sixth Man of the year three consecutive seasons.
GRIZZLIES ROOKIE IMPACT Why one Purdue coach says Zach Edey will 'hold the paint down' for Memphis Grizzlies
Advertisement
Now that Rose's NBA career has ended, he will likely stay in Memphis. He bought his first home in the Bluff City and has spoken highly about the opportunity to raise his children in Memphis. Rose's oldest son, PJ, played basketball this summer for Morant's Twelve Time AAU team.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com . Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Former Memphis Grizzlies, Tigers point guard Derrick Rose retires
