The number “6” will forever belong to Bill Russell in the NBA. The league and the NBPA have agreed to permanently retire #6 Russell across the NBA. It’s the first time a player’s number has fallen in the league.
Commissioner Adam Silver said the move would ensure Russell’s “superior professional will”. always recognised. “
“Bill Russell’s unprecedented success on court and his pioneering civil rights activism deserve to be recognized in a unique and historic way,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “His retirement as a permanent sixth-placed on every NBA team ensures that Bale’s superlative career will always be appreciated.”
The news comes less than a month later Russell passed away at the age of 88.
Russell was arguably the greatest basketball player of all time. A star with the Boston Celtics, Russell won an unparalleled 11 championships in 13 seasons. He won five MVP awards, made 11 NBA teams, and was a 12-time All-Star over his 13 years in the league. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975.
Russell also excelled as a coach. He became the first black coach in NBA history in 1966. He led the team to consecutive championships in 1968 and 1969. Russell was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010 for his basketball excellence and unwavering commitment to social justice.
NBA players will wear a patch in honor of Bill Russell
In addition to retiring his number, the NBA will honor Russell with a jersey patch. Each team will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve of their jerseys. Every NBA court will honor Russell with a clover-shaped crest featuring the number 6 on the sideline.
The Celtics will receive the Russell’s “separate and unique recognition” for their uniform, in the NBA. The team is expected to announce its plans soon.
Players who currently wear the number 6 will be allowed to keep the number until they voluntarily change it or retire, according to the NBA. This scenario happened in MLB, where Mariano Rivera was the closest New York Yankees The last player to wear number 42 After No. Jackie Robinson retired from the league. Rivera wore the number before retiring from the league in 1997 and continued to wear it as a tribute to Robinson.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James changed his jersey number to “6” before the start of the 2021-22 NBA season. Twenty-three other players She wore No. 6 last season, according to the Basketball Reference.
