No. 6 Will Not Be Worn Again in the NBA

The NBA will be retiring that number leaguewide.

To honour the great Bill Russell, who passed away in July, the NBA will be retiring No. 6 leaguewide.

Additionally, for the 2022-23 NBA season, all players will have a patch on the right shoulder of their jerseys (much like what the Boston Celtics did with Sam Jones’ No. 24 during the 2022 NBA season). Also, all courts will display a clover-shaped logo with No. 6 in it to remember the legend.

Here is NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s statement on the decision:

“Bill Russell’s unparalleled success on the court and pioneering civil rights activism deserve to be honored in a unique and historic way,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. “Permanently retiring his No. 6 across every NBA team ensures that Bill’s transcendent career will always be recognized.”

Players who are currently wearing No.6, such as LeBron James, Alex Caruso, Lance Stephenson, and Kristaps Porzingis, will be able to keep their number.

However, new players will not be able to use it and players won’t be able to switch to it.

Bill Russell’s Legacy

From the mid-50s to the late 60s, Russell donned No. 6 on his jersey. 

With the 6 on his chest (and back), he won 11 NBA championship titles, received 5 MVP awards, and repped the Boston Celtics 12 times in the All-Star game. 

He also used the fame he garnered from playing basketball to fight social injustices in his community and country, which allowed future players to speak up for what they believed in. 

“This is a momentous honor reserved for one of the greatest champions to ever play the game,” NBPA Executive Director Tamika Tremaglio said. “Bill’s actions on and off the court throughout the course of his life helped to shape generations of players for the better and for that, we are forever grateful. We are proud to continue the celebration of his life and legacy alongside the league.”

Russell was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975.

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