NBA Retire Legend Bill Russell’s No. 6 Jersey
Photo: ESPN
It’s bittersweet to announce the 11-time NBA champion Bill Russell will be the first player to have his number retired by every team in the league. Today the NBA announced the news, that Russell’s No. 6 jersey will officially be retired across the league ahead of the 2022-23 season. It makes history as this is the first time in the NBA that a player's number has been universally retired by every team, which highlights Russell’s massive impact both on and off the court.
LeBron James, Lou Williams, Quentin Grimes, Bryn Forbes, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker will be the last to wear the No. 6 jersey in the NBA as the jersey will not be issued to any future players. And rightfully so, as Bill Russell’s impact is truly special.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver emphasized this stating in a press release,
"Bill Russell's unparalleled success on the court and pioneering civil rights activism deserves to be honored in a unique and historic way," said Silver. Adding, "Permanently retiring his No. 6 across every NBA team ensures that Bill's transcendent career will always be recognized."
July 31 marks the death of the legend. At 88 years old Russell left a monumental legacy as a basketball player and civil rights activist. If we look at the legend’s iconic career we see he’s won 11 championships with the Boston Celtics, two of which he earned as a player-coach for the team. Russell was also the first Black head coach in any major U.S. professional sport and won back-to-back titles in 1968 and 1969 during his tenure. He racked up five MVP awards over his 13 seasons in the league, was a 12-time All-Star, and was named to 11 All-NBA teams.
Today and forever we celebrate the one and only, Bill Russell.
