Rose made his announcement in a social media post on Instagram . He also placed an ad in every local newspaper, including The Detroit News, in the six cities where he played during his 16-year career. The full-page ad — Thank You, My First Love — was a love letter to the game of basketball that highlighted his journey from his hometown of Chicago to a decorated career in the NBA.

“You introduced me to places and cultures that a kid from Chicago could never imagine,” Rose wrote. “You taught me that every loss was a lesson and every victory a reason to be thankful… You gave me a gift, our time together, a gift that I will cherish for the rest of my life. You told me it was okay to say goodbye, and assured me that you will always be a part of me, no matter where life takes me.”

Rose began his career as the No. 1 overall pick of the Chicago Bulls in 2008. After an illustrious high school and college career at Simeon Career Academy and the University of Memphis, he was one of the most highly touted prospects of the 2000s.