NBA fans moved to tears as Derrick Rose officially announces retirement

DERRICK Rose has officially called time on his NBA career at age 35.

The former MVP left fans in tears after announcing his decision to retire.

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Rose was the youngest MVP in NBA history in 2011 at age 22.

He defiantly fought back from numerous injuries through his career, including an ACL tear in 2012.

Rose had five surgeries in all during his playing time but battled on on the court.

He announced his decision on Instagram and also took out full-page ads in newspapers in the six NBA cities he played in.

Rose’s emotional social media post was titled “thank you, my first love” and spoke about his relationship with basketball.

“You believed in me through the highs and lows, my constant when everything else seemed uncertain,” it read.

“You showed me what love truly meant.

“You turned the court into my sanctuary, a home where I could express myself freely.

“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.”

Fans were devastated to hear the news of his retirement Thursday morning.

One posted, “He will always be remembered as Derrick MVP Rose! He will be missed.”

Another wrote, “That’s painful and sad. My lord.”

A third said, “Finally, after Chicago it was painful to watch him struggle.”

Rose was a No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick in 2008.

He spent eight years with the Chicago Bulls and was a three-time All-Star from 2010 to 2012.

At his peak, Rose was one of the best players in the game and starred on the cover of NBA 2K13.

He signed a mega endorsement deal with Adidas and had other sponsors like Powerade and Skullcandy headphones on board.

The point guard then bounced around a number of teams in his later years.

He had two spells at the New York Knicks in 2016-17 and 2021-23.

Rose also played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons in between the Knicks stints.

He ended his career after last playing for the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2023-24 season.