Jaren Jackson Jr. unveils Derrick Rose's profound locker room wisdom, quiet lessons, and unwavering professionalism shaping Grizzlies' culture beyond the court.
For Jaren Jackson Jr., the memories surfaced easily when asked about the lone season he spent alongside Derrick Rose in Memphis.
They came in fragments at first, then stacked on one another — habits, routines, and small details that revealed the depth of Rose’s presence inside the locker room for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Those recollections took on added meaning Friday night as the Chicago Bulls formally retired Rose’s No. 1 jersey at the United Center, honoring the former MVP whose career bridged superstardom, setbacks, and reinvention. Rose announced his retirement in September 2024 after completing his final NBA season in Memphis.
Jackson said Rose’s impact with the Grizzlies went far beyond his limited time on the floor. Injuries restricted Rose to 24 appearances during the 2023–24 season, when he averaged eight points, 3.3 assists and 1.9 rebounds, but teammates consistently pointed to his daily professionalism as the real value of his presence.
Jackson paused while listing the things that stood out most.
“Proverbs, chess, workouts at random times of the day, running sprints, slides, level-headedness, always being a good voice in the locker room — and hairspray,” Jackson said, via Memphis Commercial Appeal.
Rose arrived in Memphis during a turbulent period for the franchise, which leaned on veteran leadership while navigating a young roster and shifting circumstances. Although much of the public focus centered on Rose’s potential influence on star guard Ja Morant, Jackson said Rose’s reach extended throughout the roster.
Rose made it clear upon signing that he came to compete, not simply to serve as a symbolic mentor. That mindset showed up in practice habits, extra workouts and one-on-one conversations that rarely drew attention but left lasting impressions.
Jackson described Rose as someone who led without spectacle, offering guidance privately rather than calling out teammates publicly. For younger players, that approach provided a window into the habits behind Rose’s rise to the top of the league.
“One of the best players to ever touch a rock,” Jackson said.
Jackson emphasized that Rose’s example carried weight well beyond basketball. He pointed to the way Rose balanced his career with family life, often bringing his children to games and maintaining a grounded perspective despite his accomplishments.
“Just a really good example of someone you’re supposed to be on and off the court,” Jackson said. “Great father, always having his family at the game.”
Rose’s season in Memphis included brief flashes of his old scoring efficiency, including efficient shooting nights and a late-November start in which he recorded 14 points and nine assists. Still, injuries ultimately limited his availability and role. Inside the locker room, however, teammates said they were able to see the preparation and mindset that once made Rose the youngest MVP in NBA history.
As Rose’s jersey was lifted into the rafters in Chicago, Jackson said he wasn’t certain what emotions the former point guard might show during the ceremony. One memory stood out — Rose’s tearful reaction after scoring 50 points for Minnesota in 2018, a moment that became emblematic of his perseverance.
“He might give us another meme of him crying again,” Jackson said. “That’s big time.”
For Jackson, the jersey retirement validated what Memphis experienced in a short span. Rose’s chapter with the Grizzlies was brief, but his influence — built on accountability, humility and consistency — left an imprint that teammates say will endure long after the games fade from memory.