Former Cavalier Derrick Rose announces retirement

One of the NBA’s most exciting injury stories has officially announced its retirement. Derrick Rose, the youngest MVP winner in league history, announced his retirement on social media this morning. Rose, 35, was most recently with the Memphis Grizzlies before being released last week. He took out a full-page ad in the local newspaper for all six teams he played for in his career – Chicago, New York, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Detroit and Memphis.

Rose played 16 games for the Cleveland Cavaliers, a tenure that was marred by questions after he suddenly left the team to rehabilitate an ankle injury for mysterious reasons. In those games, seven of which he started, Rose averaged 9.8 points on 43.9% shooting before being traded to the Utah Jazz in a three-team deal. He finished the season with the Minnesota Timberwolves after being released by the Jazz.

By the end of his career, Rose was a migrant worker. Before that, however, he was one of the league’s most fascinating and polarizing players. Selected first overall by the Bulls in the 2008 NBA Draft, Rose was named Rookie of the Year and MVP within three years of entering the league. But everything changed for Rose when he tore his ACL in the 2012 playoffs, causing him to miss the next season and virtually the entire following year. Chicago traded him to New York in 2016.

Rose’s career has not been without controversy, as he was sued for some heinous allegations against an ex-girlfriend. The plaintiff sought more than $20 million in damages in the lawsuit, which was filed two years after the incident became known. In October 2016, Rose and two of her friends were found not liable.

Rose’s career will always be a big question mark, as he was headed for a legendary run with the Bulls before the devastating knee injury changed his career trajectory. He made the most of his reduced athleticism and speed, becoming a premier sixth man and backup for several years. But the ceiling was always higher, something that was ultimately and sadly never reached.