The Chicago Bulls are getting ready to honor Derrick Rose with a special “Derrick Rose Night” during their game against the New York Knicks on Friday. Rose, who won the NBA MVP award in 2011, has made a return to the city that saw him rise to basketball stardom.

For nearly a decade, Derrick Rose was everything to Chicago basketball fans. After being drafted second overall in 2008, Rose quickly became a superstar. He won Rookie of the Year, became the youngest MVP in NBA history, and led the Bulls to their first Eastern Conference Finals since the legendary Michael Jordan retired. His time with the team made him a Chicago Bulls icon.

Now retired from playing, Rose’s return to Chicago is an emotional moment for fans and for him personally. In a recent interview with ESPN, Rose shared one of his biggest wishes: to see his jersey retired and hung in the rafters of the United Center. While some athletes want statues, Rose has something simpler in mind. “I don’t want a statue,” he explained. “But having my jersey retired would mean everything. It’s like being part of an exclusive club, like those who’ve won MVP—there aren’t many of us.”

The Bulls have retired very few jerseys—honoring players like Jerry Sloan, Bob Love, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and even Bill Russell league-wide. Adding Rose to that list would be a big decision for the franchise. However, Rose stands out as the only Bull besides Jordan to win an MVP award, putting him in elite company with one of basketball’s greatest.

Unfortunately, injuries cut short what could have been an even greater career for Rose. His journey is often seen as one of the biggest “what if?” stories in NBA history. Despite this, his brief but brilliant prime and the legacy he left behind in Chicago might just be enough to see his No. 1 jersey take its place in the rafters someday.