Former Chicago Bulls superstar Derrick Rose has had a busy past few months in a good way.
After his was honored with a ceremony at the United Center earlier in January, it was announced that his jersey would be hung in the rafters, joining other legends from the franchise. And now, Rose is back in the trading card market.
Panini America announced on Wednesday that they have agreed to a partnership with Derrick Rose for exclusive autograph trading cards. It comes after he announced his retirement from the NBA after 15 seasons back in September.
He’s the latest Panini exclusive player and will have a trading card for the first time in a decade. Here is more from the release:
Rose, who announced his retirement last September after playing 15 seasons in the NBA, will now have new autographed trading cards available for the first time in more than a decade. The official trading card partner of the NBA and NBPA, Panini’s first offering featuring Rose will be in Panini’s Noir Basketball product slated to release in late February followed by a number of other Panini basketball products including Immaculate, National Treasures, One and One, Flawless and Eminence. Panini will also utilize Rose in select marketing activations.
“I’m excited to be joining Panini as an exclusive athlete – ever since getting back into trading cards, I’ve appreciated the brands and unique designs that Panini delivers through its trading card products and it made me realize that this is just another way to help me give back to the fans that have followed me and rooted for me throughout my career,” said NBA Great, Derrick Rose.
The first pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by his hometown Chicago Bulls, Rose earned the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in his first season. In the 2010-11 campaign, Rose became the youngest player ever to win the NBA’s Most Valuable Player Award when he averaged a career-best 25 points per game in leading the Bulls to the NBA’s best record and a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals. Rose was a three-time NBA All-Star and had stints with six NBA teams, averaging 17.4 points per game over his career.
“We are proud to be partnering with Derrick in his welcome return to the trading card world, and to help fans celebrate his long and memorable NBA career,” said Jason Howarth, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Athlete Relations for Panini America.
The legacy of Derrick Rose continues on
Being from the city of Chicago, Bulls fans had an instant connection with Rose after the team took him No. 1 overall in the 2008 NBA Draft. He delivered excitement for the franchise including being the youngest NBA MVP ever.
Rose delivered on the court, helping the Bulls become a contender in the Eastern Conference. Although they fell short of winning a title, Rose brought excitement back to Chicago basketball for the first time since the Michael Jordan days.
Now, with Rose retired, fans can still collect his cards and continue the legacy.
Panini’s first offering featuring Rose will be in Panini’s Noir Basketball product scheduled to release in late February followed by a number of other Panini basketball products including Immaculate, National Treasures, One and One, Flawless and Eminence. Panini will also utilize Rose in select marketing activations.
Chicago Bulls essential piece could be back soon after absence
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