Derrick Rose was seated courtside at the Bulls’ practice area in suburban Chicago, taking a moment to talk about his knee injury. It was February 2013, and he was undergoing rigorous rehabilitation on his left knee after having surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament he suffered in the 2012 playoffs.

“I can’t predict what kind of player I’ll become,” Rose shared with YSL News Sports during that time. “But I do know I will excel.”

Rose experienced brief moments of excellence afterward but never reclaimed his former greatness. This past Thursday, he announced his retirement from professional basketball, having previously enjoyed a standout start to his career during his initial four seasons.

His rise to NBA fame was swift and remarkable: he won Rookie of the Year in 2008-09, was an All-Star in 2009-10, and became the league’s MVP, First-Team All-NBA, and an All-Star in 2010-11. During that MVP season at just 22 years old, Rose averaged 25 points, 7.9 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and shot 43.5% from the field, leading the Bulls to an impressive 62-20 record. He is still the youngest player ever to win the MVP award.

However, around 18 months after his ACL tear and merely 10 games into the 2013-14 season, Rose injured his right knee, tearing his meniscus which required another surgery, keeping him out for the entire season.

Rose, who will turn 36 on October 4, made a comeback in 2014-15 and had commendable seasons with the Bulls, New York Knicks, and Minnesota Timberwolves, but he never returned to his previous form.

His 16-year career was filled with moments of brilliance in conjunction with heartbreaking knee injuries that prevented him from reaching his full potential as an NBA superstar.

The career he had was continually overshadowed by “what-ifs.”

After leaving the Bulls, Rose traversed between teams and played for Memphis last season, where he featured in 24 games.

He was known for his explosive playstyle, making him hard to defend against, due to his speed and strength, excelling at finishing plays near the basket, and possessing a reliable mid-range jump shot. Throughout his career, Rose averaged 17.4 points, 5.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds, hitting 45.6% of his shots.

It’s tempting to ponder how much different Rose’s career could have been without injuries; he had a Hall of Fame-quality beginning, but he may end up being the only player who won the NBA MVP award without ever being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Chosen as the No. 1 pick by his hometown Bulls, Rose sought to diminish the impact of those what-ifs by maintaining a positive outlook and believing in his abilities regardless of his situation. If there were times he felt down, he concealed it well.

In his retirement message, he expressed that injuries didn’t lessen his passion for the sport that gave him so much joy—and challenges.

In a heartfelt message to basketball, Rose said, “Thank you for being my first love … You supported me through highs and lows, my reliable constant amid uncertainty. You taught me the essence of true love. The court became my refuge, where I could be myself. Every early morning and late night we shared was worth every moment of hard work. You reminded me that I could always depend on you and showed me my capabilities in times of doubt.

“You exposed me to places and cultures beyond what a kid from Chicago could envision. Each loss taught me a valuable lesson, and every victory was cause for gratitude. You shared life lessons on discipline, diligence, perseverance beyond just the game. Passion is something to treasure, guiding me to invest my heart into every dribble, shot, and play. You stood by me during challenging times—unconditionally—waiting for me to rise again. The time we spent together is a gift I will cherish always. You reassured me that saying goodbye was okay, as you will always be a part of my journey, regardless of where life leads me.”

Derrick Rose has come to terms with his past, what might have been, and what lies ahead.