For so many in Chicago, Derrick Rose wasn’t just a baller—he was hope personified. Now, with his No. 1 jersey soon climbing to the rafters, that reality shines even brighter. On January 24, 2026, the Chicago Bulls will hang Rose’s jersey in the United Center during a post-game ceremony after hosting the Celtics. He’ll join icons like Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Jerry Sloan and Bob Love. That’s elite company, and it’s a move that speaks to more than stats. It says, “you changed our city.” If you saw the video of him hearing about it—tears, disbelief—you felt it, too. Part of what made it real was the detail that stuck with fans: “No one wears No. 1 unless your kid, PJ, becomes a Bull,” Bulls CEO Michael Reinsdorf told him. That line hit like poetry—his legacy belongs to Chicago, and maybe one day, to his son. This isn’t just about greatness on court—though there was plenty of that: Rookie of the Year, MVP at 22, pushing the Bulls to the East Finals in 2011—it’s about identity. Rose grew up in Chicago. HeRead More
Derrick Rose’s impact in Chicago goes way beyond basketball
