The NBA will retire the No. 6 jersey across the league in honor of Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell… but LeBron James and current wearers of the number are safe as they will be grandfathered!
- The No. 6 jersey will not be issued by the NBA or NBPA again as a tribute
- The shirt has been retired in honor of the late Boston Celtic legend Bill Russell
- Eleven-time NBA champion and civil rights campaigner Russell died at age of 88
The No. 6 will never be issued by the NBA again after the league revealed they will retire the number as a tribute to Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell.
Eleven-time NBA champion and civil rights campaigner Russell died at the age of 88 Sunday.
There had been calls to retire Russell’s jersey number in honor of one of the most influential basketball players, and now the NBA and NBPA have decided to never release a No. 6 shirt again.
The No. 6 will never be issued by the NBA again after the league revealed they will retire the number as a tribute to Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell (pictured playing in 1967)
‘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 Thursday.
‘Permanently retiring his No. 6 across every NBA team ensures that Bill’s transcendent career will always be recognized.’
‘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.’
The No 6 had already been retired by the Celtics but Russell is the first player to have his number to be removed league-wide.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk