Derrick Rose Retires: The Best Moments of His 16-Year Career

Derrick Rose, 16-year NBA veteran, 2009 Rookie of the Year and 2011 MVP, announced his retirement from professional basketball on Thursday. And NBA players like Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks are paying tribute to him.

Even though he may no longer be involved on the court, Rose leaves behind a legacy that belongs only to him. Let's take a look at some of the best moments of his career.

First overall draft in 2008

Born and raised in Chicago, it was picture perfect that Rose was drafted first overall in 2008 by the Chicago Bulls, his hometown.

Named Rookie of the Year in 2009

The fairytale continued into the 2008-09 NBA season. He was named rookie of the year and had a brilliant playoff debut.

Becomes the youngest player in NBA history to win MVP in 2011

Just two years after winning Rookie of the Year honors, Rose – then just 22 – had a monster season.

His exceptional season earned him the MVP title in 2011 and he remains the youngest player to ever win the award.

Sinks buzzer-beater against the Cavs in the 2015 playoffs

The Bulls were eliminated in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the 2015 playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers, but not before Rose secured the Bulls victory with a buzzer-beater in Game 3.

Scored career-high 50 points against the Jazz in 2018

Rose, who endured four knee surgeries during his career through 2017, came to life on October 31, 2018 against the Utah Jazz. He dropped a career-high 50 points that night, which proved incredibly emotional for him.

According to Rose's teammate Jeff Teague, Rose said before the game that he would score 50 points on the Jazz. And as he got closer and closer, the entire Timberwolves team burst into tears as they saw their teammate, who had been through so much, dominate the court like that.

Takes place for the Knicks in the 2021 playoffs

After the Pistons traded Rose to the Knicks in 2021, he delivered two impressive games in New York's first-round game against Atlanta. In the second game of the series, he scored 26 points off the bench, marking the Knicks' only win in the series. He started Game 3 and dropped 30 points, once again leading all Knicks scorers.