NBA retires Bill Russell’s No. 6 jersey permanentlySource:
https://www.basketballinsiders.com/news/nba-retires-bill-russells-no-6-jersey-permanently/The NBA is officially retiring Bill Russell’s No. 6 jersey. The 11-time NBA champion and Boston Celtics legend passed away at the age of 88 last month. Russell wore No. 6 throughout his entire 13-year career from 1956–69.
However, active players are still allowed to wear the number until they retire. That means four-time MVP LeBron James is in the clear to continue wearing his No. 6 jersey.
Equally important, Alex Caruso, Montrezl Harrell, Quentin Grimes, Moses Brown, Lance Stephenson, Bryn Forbes, Jalen McDaniels, Lou Williams and Kristaps Porzingis can wear the number as well.
On Thursday, NBA commissioner Adam Silver released an official statement: “The National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) announced today that they will honor the life and legacy of 11-time NBA champion and civil rights pioneer Bill Russell by permanently retiring his uniform number, 6, throughout the league.”
“Bill Russell’s unparalleled success on the court and pioneering civil rights activism deserve to be honored in a unique and historic way. Permanently retiring his No. 6 across every NBA team ensures that Bill’s transcendent career will always be recognized.”
Russell is the first NBA player to have his number retired leaguewide.
