Derrick Rose was someone destined for NBA stardom from an early age, and it’s fair to say he lived up to expectations. Drafted with the first overall pick in the 2008 draft out of the University of Memphis, he immediately left his mark in a Chicago Bulls uniform.
He won Rookie of the Year ahead of future Hall of Famers in his class, like Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love and DeAndre Jordan, and soon became the youngest MVP in league history, a feat that still stands today. On top of that, he brought the Bulls back to relevance and was a hometown kid maximizing his talent.
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However, injuries severely hampered his career, preventing him from reaching some of the heights predicted for him at the start of his NBA journey. But that didn’t stop Rose from carving out a successful career in the business world after basketball.
“The growth part,” Rose said in his interview with “Forbes”. “Knowing where I was at. In the beginning, I was a young kid, I was a young man, I didn’t know anything about being the mastermind, or even wanting to master anything. Once I understood, now I’m at the age of 37 and I’ve put in a lot of years, now it’s time to restart everything.”
“I had a great start, basketball was just one factor or one stage. Now the second stage is just about really showing who I am creatively,” D-Rose added. “I felt like basketball was handicapping me in a way. I didn’t have anything aligned with the rest of my development as far as thinking about certain things. Me wanting to express myself in a certain way, I had to wait 15, 16 years to do so, but now I feel like it’s time.”
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Rose left basketball behind him
Beyond being just the fifth player in Bulls history to have his number retired and leaving a permanent mark at the United Center, Rose has recently come into the spotlight for his business ventures.
He recognized that his popularity long outgrew the NBA courts, as he was one of the most beloved players across the league for years, and that fan love hasn’t faded. He founded “Rose’s Flower Shop“, a newly established family brand officially launched this year, offering weekly “bloom” drops of fresh flowers online, along with MVP subscriptions and local events.
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It’s worth noting that U.S. flower revenue this year is expected to reach $9.8 billion, giving perspective on just how smart Rose’s business move was: monetizing the name he built on the hardwood.
But Rose’s journey in building an impressive business empire seems to have only just begun. He revealed plans to focus on other business ventures in construction and technology in the future, with an emphasis on AI, though he remains tight-lipped as the project is still in early stages.
Recently, he also released a book in collaboration with “Assouline” titled “Derrick Rose: The Poohprint”, making him the second basketball player, after Michael Jordan, to partner with the luxury publishing house.
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Rose made his name on NBA courts
It’s clear that the three-time NBA All-Star, who once electrified crowds with thunderous dunks and lightning-fast speed, has now fully redirected his energy toward new business successes. He has successfully left the basketball chapter behind, a chapter that, with its highs and lows, gave him fame and hardship alike.
Without basketball, his name might never have gained recognition, nor would he have the financial foundation allowing him to fully express his creativity today. Over his NBA career, he earned around $167 million, opening doors that might have otherwise remained closed, and the Rose symbol became iconic in Chicago through his on-court performances.
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Rose earned that glory with his talent and fantastic performances, and he has successfully transitioned from one chapter of life to another, a feat many never achieve, marking perhaps the most significant life victory from a 16-year NBA veteran.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Jan 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.