Derrick Rose Says He Doesn’t Want Statue Outside United Center

Derrick Rose is begging the Chicago Bulls to not honor him with a statue outside the United Center … explaining he’s seen how the tributes have turned out recently, and he’d rather not risk becoming a meme.

The former MVP made his intentions known in a sit-down interview with ESPN ahead of “Derrick Rose Night” at the Bulls’ home contest against the New York Knicks on Saturday.

D-Rose had a solid reasoning behind why he didn’t want himself immortalized outside his old arena … almost certainly hinting at Dwyane Wade‘s recent sculpture outside the Miami Heat’s venue, which was at the center of countless jokes online.

“The way people have been creating these statues, I don’t want a statue,” he told the outlet. “No statue. Jerry [Reinsdorf], no statue. Please, Michael [Reinsdorf], no statue.”

Rose did welcome the idea of having his No. 1 jersey retired in the rafters … saying he’d love the gesture.

It wouldn’t be surprising if that happened — Rose spent eight seasons playing for his hometown team … winning rookie of the year, MVP and leading Chicago to its best record since the Michael Jordan era.