The Derrick Rose x Yeezy collaboration: What could've been?

On Thursday, September 26th, Derrick Rose took to social media to officially announce his retirement from the league. During his time in the NBA, Rose secured a sneaker deal with Adidas and made significant strides toward developing a specialty collaboration line with Yeezy—an initiative that has not been seen with any other athlete under the Yeezy x Adidas partnership.

Derrick Rose entered the NBA as the first overall draft pick in 2008, having been selected from the University of Memphis. He officially played for 16 seasons, most notably debuting with his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls, where he spent seven seasons. As his career began, the hometown hero received high praise for his star-making performances, quickly taking the league by storm. He won the NBA's Rookie of the Year award in his first season and later earned an MVP award in the 2010-11 season, solidifying his status as the future face of the franchise.

Derrick Rose has retired from the NBA, but his highlights and peak moments will forever be etched in basketball history

A healthy Derrick Rose was a formidable force, seemingly destined for long-term success—until the following season, when he suffered a career-altering ACL injury in the playoffs.

Rose eventually returned but struggled to regain his previous form, facing additional injuries that sidelined him further. Despite being traded multiple times throughout the league, he remained a fan favorite. D. Rose left a message for his fans, reflecting on his career:

"Thank You, My First Love… You believed in me through the highs and lows, my constant when everything else seemed uncertain. You showed me what love truly meant. You turned the court into my sanctuary, a home where I could express myself freely. You made every early morning and late night we spent together worth every drop of sweat...You reminded me that I could always rely on you, that in every moment of doubt, you would show me what I’m capable of. You introduced me to new places and cultures that a kid from Chicago could have never imagined.

You taught me that every loss was a lesson and every win was a reason to be grateful.

You offered wisdom that was not just about the game, but about life, discipline, hard work, perseverance. You showed me that passion is something to cherish, ensuring that I pour my heart into every dribble, every shot, every play. You stood by me even when the world seemed against me, unconditionally, waiting for me to pick you up.

You gave me a gift, our time together, one that I will cherish for the rest of my days. You told me it’s okay to say goodbye, reassuring me that you’ll always be a part of me, no matter where life takes me. Forever yours. Derrick Rose"

- Derrick Rose via CNN.com

YEEZY x D ROSE

The Yeezy x Derrick Rose collaboration line was first unveiled to the public in 2020 by Ye and Rose. The standout sneaker from this collection featured an aesthetic reminiscent of the Yeezy Foam RNNR, which has become one of the most popular styles in the Yeezy x Adidas partnership. Coated in an all-white exterior, the shoe exhibited a distinctive ridged design that covered its entire surface. When first teased, the shoe sparked mixed opinions among fans. Both Rose and his wife showcased the collaboration by wearing the sneaker on several occasions and sharing photos on social media.

Alongside the main RNNR line, teased models included an open-toed slide and a partially open-toed design

In July 2023, former Yeezy designer Kitty Shukman showcased exclusive previews of unreleased YEEZY x D. Rose samples that she contributed to designing. Shukman revealed that the ridge designs of the YEEZY x D. Rose shoes were inspired by fallen trees she discovered in the woods.

Although the partnership may never see an official release, one can only wonder what the collaboration could have achieved, especially considering the popularity of the Yeezy Foam RNNR shoe.