In the league’s history, this is the first time that Bill Russell’s No. 6 jersey has been retired.
The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association announced on Thursday that all 30 clubs would permanently retire the number worn by the 11-time champion, civil rights activist, and individual deserving of entry into the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach.
The NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated that Bill Russell “deserve to be honoured in a unique and historic way” for his “unparalleled success on the court and pioneering civil rights activism.” Every NBA team permanently retiring Bill’s No. 6 ensures that his transcendent career will always be recognised.
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers is one player that now wears No. 6, and they are all allowed to keep doing so. The league stated that the number cannot be granted once again.
This season, according to the NBA, all players will wear a patch on the right shoulder of their jerseys, and each NBA court will include a clover-shaped logo with the number 6 on the sideline close to the scorer’s table.
According to the NBA, the Boston Celtics will give him “separate and unique recognition for him on their uniforms”.
On July 31, Russell passed away at the age of 88. He was the most successful player in NBA history, winning 11 championships over the course of a 13-year career, including the last two as a player-coach. He was also the first Black coach to ever capture a major pro sports championship.
In addition to standing beside Muhammad Ali during a march, he also got the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama.
He joins a very elite club as well after having his number retired across the league.
In honour of Jackie Robinson, who broke the colour barrier in the major leagues with the understanding that those wearing the number 42 may keep doing so, Major League Baseball officially retired the number 42. The last player to wear No. 42 in the majors was Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees, who did so throughout his last campaign in 2013.
In 1999, the NHL announced that Wayne Gretzky’s No. 99 would be retired throughout the whole league in honour of the all-time leading scorer in that sport.
Russell is now given the same treatment. It also seems appropriate that he and Robinson, who are both boundary-breakers, are connected once more. Robinson was hailed as a hero by Russell, who reportedly remarked that “he showed me the way to be a man in professional sports.”
Robinson probably thought highly of Russell as well. Russell accepted Rachel Robinson’s request to serve as a pallbearer at her husband’s funeral in 1972.
The NBPA Executive Director Tamika Tremaglio commented, “This is a momentous honour reserved for one of the greatest champions to ever play the game.” “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 .”
More than 250 players have worn the No. 6 jersey in NBA history, with 24 doing so in at least one game last year. Most notably, James, who has alternated between the Nos. 6 and 23 throughout his career.
Since Russell’s final season with the Celtics, 1968–1969, no one has worn No. 6 for the team.
One of the 12 players now inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame who worn No. 6 at some point throughout their careers is Russell. The others are: Cliff Hagan, Alex Hannum, Buddy Jeanette, Neil Johnston, Don Barksdale, Chuck Cooper, Larry Costello, Patrick Ewing, Julius Erving, and Patrick Ewing.
Since Russell’s final season with the Celtics, 1968–1969, no one has worn No. 6 for the team.
One of the 12 players now inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame who worn No. 6 at some point throughout their careers is Russell. The others are: Cliff Hagan, Alex Hannum, Buddy Jeanette, Neil Johnston, Don Barksdale, Chuck Cooper, Larry Costello, Patrick Ewing, Julius Erving, and Patrick Ewing.