CHICAGO, Ill. – On Saturday, January 24th, the Chicago Bulls will honor one of the franchise’s most electrifying players by retiring Derrick Rose’s No. 1 jersey at the United Center.

The retirement ceremony will permanently enshrine Rose’s number in the rafters, symbolizing his impact on the team and the city, and ensuring that only his legacy—and potentially his son, P.J. Rose, if he ever suits up for Chicago—can claim the number again.

Ahead of the weekend celebration, Rose spoke with 670 The Score in an interview that reflected on his career, the honor of joining the Bulls’ elite circle of retired numbers, and the lessons he has carried from his hometown to the professional stage.

One of the central themes Rose emphasized was that his style of play and demeanor on the court were deeply influenced by his upbringing in Chicago, a city known for grit, toughness, and relentless determination.

Born and raised in the Windy City, Rose attended high school locally before a brief stint at the University of Memphis, after which he returned home when the Bulls selected him first overall in the 2008 NBA Draft.

Rose immediately transformed the franchise, bringing energy, speed, and creativity that reinvigorated a team still recovering from the post-Michael Jordan era.

Quickly becoming one of the most entertaining players the city had seen since Jordan, Rose earned the youngest MVP award in NBA history, cementing his status as a generational talent.

Unfortunately, a series of devastating injuries derailed his career trajectory, leaving fans and analysts to wonder what might have been had he stayed healthy throughout his prime.

Despite these setbacks, Rose’s focus was always on representing Chicago, embodying the city’s work ethic and basketball spirit rather than personal accolades alone.

“I didn’t play this way solely for me. It’s the Chicago way of playing. That’s the way I played. That’s the way that every time I stepped on the floor, I always tried to show a Chicago toughness,” Rose said during the interview.

His connection to the city helped him develop a perspective that went beyond statistics, highlighting resilience, perseverance, and leadership as central pillars of his career.

The Bulls’ current situation also caught Rose’s attention, as he weighed in on the team’s struggles since his departure.

In the decade since Rose left Chicago, the Bulls have experienced only one winning season, one playoff appearance, and a single postseason victory, a stark contrast to the excitement and optimism that defined his era.

Rose stressed that the city and the team need a new superstar, someone capable of elevating the franchise and energizing the fanbase, much like he and Jimmy Butler did during their shared tenure.

“You need a star. You need a superstar to come change certain things,” Rose said when asked about the Bulls’ current roster and prospects for improvement.

Chicago has struggled to identify a consistent All-Star presence since the Rose era, leaving the team without a true face of the franchise and a driving force for the locker room.

Rose acknowledged that while free agency and draft picks are tools for change, the team must prioritize talent that can command attention and inspire teammates, rather than rely solely on incremental roster tweaks.

The former MVP also responded to criticism he received throughout his career, particularly regarding his perceived reluctance to recruit other stars to Chicago during free agency or the trade deadline.

“I felt like I was showing loyalty to my teammates,” Rose explained. “If I was constantly talking about bringing in other players, it would have been fake. It would have been a fake relationship with the guys I was playing with at the time.”

This perspective reflects the Chicago ethos he has long championed: hard work, loyalty, and a focus on maximizing the talent already in the organization rather than seeking handouts or relying on star-studded alliances.

Rose’s approach mirrored that of Michael Jordan, who was never regarded as a recruiter, further cementing the idea that Chicago basketball is rooted in toughness, self-reliance, and team-first principles.

The decision to retire his jersey underscores not only his statistical accomplishments but also his embodiment of Chicago’s basketball identity, which includes resilience, determination, and a willingness to compete under any circumstance.

Fans were reminded of the magnitude of Rose’s contributions during the interview, particularly how he revived the franchise during his prime years and kept the city’s basketball spirit alive.

Rose’s legacy is one of inspiration for future generations, showing young players in Chicago that talent combined with dedication and a strong work ethic can achieve greatness, even in the face of adversity.

As the fifth player in Bulls history to have his jersey retired, Rose joins an elite circle that includes Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Bob Love, and Jerry Sloan, ensuring his accomplishments are permanently recognized.

The ceremony this weekend will not only celebrate his on-court achievements but also highlight his impact off the court, including mentoring younger players and maintaining a reputation for professionalism and commitment to his city.

Rose’s stoic demeanor, remarkable talent, and ability to elevate a struggling franchise have left an indelible mark, one that the organization and its fans have been waiting to honor formally.

For many in Chicago, the retirement ceremony is a reminder of both what Rose accomplished and what the Bulls have struggled to replicate in the years since.

The city’s sports community sees Rose as a generational figure, someone whose career trajectory, despite injuries, inspired a decade of basketball in Chicago and left fans with memories that remain vivid today.

Even as the current roster navigates another challenging season, Rose’s insights serve as a blueprint for what the franchise needs: elite talent, leadership, and a connection to the city that transcends wins and losses.

This weekend, as No. 1 rises into the United Center rafters, it will symbolize not just Derrick Rose the player, but Derrick Rose the Chicago icon, forever tied to the city’s basketball identity.

In doing so, the Bulls celebrate a legacy of grit, perseverance, and unforgettable moments, reminding fans why they cheered for the young MVP from Englewood, who dared to play with heart and soul in a city that demands nothing less.