The United Center erupted as 22-year-old Derrick Rose soared through the air, moving his body mid-flight before unleashing a thunderous dunk over Goran Dragic. From his explosive first step that left defenders frozen to his acrobatic finishes that defied gravity, Rose’s impact on the Chicago Bulls and the NBA was nothing short of revolutionary. And now, just days after his retirement announcement, another piece of news is waving through the basketball community.

In a recent update by the Chicago Bulls, they revealed that they are going to have a ‘Derrick Rose Night’. “Derrick Rose will be in attendance for this celebration in January, but his jersey will not be going up in the rafters on this night. Still no word on if/when a jersey retirement will occur,” read the caption of the X post.

But what is the setback for the NBA legend? The decision to host ‘Derrick Rose Night’ without retiring his number 1 jersey has sparked heated debate among fans. Sure, this celebration will have highlight reels, emotional speeches, and thunderous applause from the United Center crowd, but the lack of a jersey ceremony feels like an incomplete tribute to many.

The Windy City native’s journey from the city’s tough Englewood neighborhood to NBA stardom showed the very essence of Chicago’s basketball. His statistics tell only part of the story. The former point guard averaged 25 points, and 7.7 assists during his MVP season but his influence went beyond the numbers. He transformed the Bulls from a middling team into championship contenders, leading them to the best record in the NBA for the 2010-2011 season (62-20).

But as February 2025 nears, Rose will undoubtedly be looked at as a Chicago basketball legacy. Although his number may not rise to the level of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen’s on the rafters at the United Center, his influence on the franchise and the city will not be forgotten. Hence, the 36-year-old former point guard announced his retirement in style. He booked all the front pages of the prominent newspapers from the cities that he has played for, to show his gratitude towards his supporting fans.

However, the Chicago Bulls have retired several jerseys over the years.

The Chicago Bulls stars with jerseys hanging in the rafters

The Chicago Bulls have a rich history and to honor their greatest players they have retired several jerseys. These numbers serve as an example of the contributions made by these athletes to the franchise. The Bulls have been a dominant force in the NBA, winning six championships in the 90s. The main element behind this dynasty was Michael Jordan.

On November 1, 1994, the Bulls retired Jordan’s #23 jersey. The same day, his statue was set outside of the United Center dubbed ‘the Spirit.’ Indeed, we can never talk about Jordan without Scottie Pippen, his right-hand man. The other reason the Bulls were able to win so many championships in the 90s was because of the small forward. On December 9, 2005, the club retired Pippen’s No. 33 jersey in a ceremonial game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Chicago Bulls.

The other great players whose jersey numbers are retired by the Bulls are Jerry Sloan, Charles Oakley, and Bob Love. These retired jerseys represent the Bulls’ greatest legends and serve as a reminder of their incredible accomplishments. Only time will tell now if the club will decide to retire Derrick Rose’s jersey too.