Derrick Rose Returns to Old College Number After Joining Grizzlies

The 16-year veteran will wear a new number.

A trip down memory lane for longtime Derrick Rose fans continued in style on Monday after news surfaced of the new Grizzlies guard’s plan to honor his return to Memphis with a new jersey number. 

Rose’s decision to join the Grizzlies in free agency evoked a crowd-pleasing, sense of nostalgia with the 2011 NBA MVP back in the city where he once shined as a one-and-done star for the Memphis Tigers. As Rose prepares for his 17th NBA season, the 34-year-old will do so with his alma mater in mind after deciding to switch to his old collegiate number: No. 23.

Rose’s wife, Alaina, shared photos of his welcome to the Grizzlies on Monday with shots of the three-time All-Star in his new threads. In addition to being a nostalgic nod to his old college stomping grounds, Rose’s No. 23 jersey will mark the first time he’s worn the number since 2008, the year he became the No. 1 pick after leading Memphis to the national championship game.

D-Rose will wear No. 23 in Memphis again 👀🔥

(via alainataughtyou/IG) pic.twitter.com/EFvSW2NM0n

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 3, 2023

While many NBA fans still lament over the injuries that derailed his career, the sight of Rose back in No. 23 has to feel good for those who still support the former NBA star. Not to mention those same fans likely also hope the change helps Rose, who has played in less than 30 games the past two seasons, find shades of the play that turned him into one of the game’s best at Memphis and early in his NBA career.

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During his last stint in Memphis 15 years ago, Rose turned heads after averaging 14.9 points, 4.7 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game. He led the Tigers to a 33–1 record, and Memphis went on to advance to the national title game against Kansas. Rose scored 17 points on 7-of-17 shooting in a thrilling 75–68 overtime loss.