NBA to retire No. 6 jersey to honor Bill Russell

The NBA has announced they will retire the No. 6 jersey to honor legend Bill Russell, who died last month. It will be the first time the league retires a number permanently.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced the plan on Thursday. Silver said Russell’s legacy would continue to inspire people, adding that the former Boston Celtic guard deserved the honor.

The number will no longer be available in the next trade, but players who are currently wearing the number can carry on. These include Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and the Washington Wizards’ Kristaps Porzingis.

“Bill Russell’s unparalleled success on the court and pioneering civil rights activism deserve to be honored in a unique and historic way,” Silver said.

“Permanently retiring his No. 6 across every NBA team ensures that Bill’s transcendent career will always be recognized.”

Russell took part in a famous march with Martin Luther Jr. in 1963. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama back in 2011.

NBPA Executive Director Tamika Tremaglio said that Russell was an ideal role model for current generations, not only for basketball but also for humanity as a whole.

“This is a momentous honor reserved for one of the greatest champions to ever play the game,” she 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.”

Throughout his career, Russels won 11 NBA titles in his 13 years stint with the Celtics, the only player in the league to do so. Two of those titles were won during his time as a coach, making him the first Black coach to win a title in any US major sports.

He also managed to secure five NBA awards and made it to the All-Star team 12 times. Russell averaged 15.1 points and 22.5 rebounds per game throughout his career. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975.