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Derrick Rose, former NBA MVP, retires after 15 seasons

Derrick Rose ends his career after 15 NBA seasons.

The former Knicks point guard announced his retirement on Instagram on Thursday, posting a photo of himself holding a newspaper containing a love letter to basketball.

“The next chapter is about pursuing my dreams and passing on my development,” Rose told The Athletic.

“I believe that true success is becoming what you were created to be and I want to show the world who I am beyond basketball.

“For better or for worse, everyone has a 'what if' story in their life. Even if I could, I wouldn't change mine because it helped me find true joy.”


Knicks guard Derrick Rose (4) brings the ball onto the court in the fourth quarter of Game 3 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 21, 2023 at Madison Square Garden. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Previously, Rose, who turns 35 in October, shared a video on Instagram in which he holds a rose while writing in his diary and which was captioned: “The Rebirth, 09/26/24.”

The Grizzlies released Rose on Monday,

According to ESPN, the team granted Rose's request to release him from the final year of his contract earlier this week.

Rose said he wants to focus on his family in the next chapter.

“Knowing that I gave everything to the game, I am confident in my decision,” he told ESPN. “Basketball was just the beginning for me.

“Now it’s important that I give everything to my family – they deserve it.”

Rose married his longtime love Alaina Anderson in September 2023.

The couple has two children together, daughter Layla Malibu and son London Marley.

Rose has a son, Derrick Rose Jr., from a previous relationship.

On Thursday, Rose took out full-page ads in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Commercial Appeal, Detroit Free Press, Cleveland Plain Dealer and Minneapolis Star Tribune – the six NBA cities where he played – to thank their respective local fans.

Rose, the number 1 pick in the 2008 draft, was the youngest MVP in NBA history in 2011 at age 22.

Rose was Rookie of the Year in 2009 and a three-time All-Star, playing for the Bulls, Knicks, Cavaliers, Timberwolves, Pistons and Grizzlies.

What could have been the career of an entire generation was halted by a series of knee injuries.

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