The NBA is retiring Bill Russell's uniform No. 6 league-wide following his recent passing.
"Bill Russell's unparalleled success on the court and pioneering civil rights movement deserves to be celebrated in a unique and historic way," said his NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. stated in statement. “Permanently retiring his No. 6 jersey with every NBA team ensures that Bill's extraordinary career will always be recognized.”
This is a significant honor for one of our greatest champions," added NBPA Executive Director Tamika Tremaglio. “Bill’s actions on and off the court in his life have helped shape generations of players for the better, and for that we are eternally grateful. We are proud to continue celebrating the legacy.”
Russell established himself as the most victorious athlete in American sports history during his tenure with the Boston Celtics. . A Hall of Famer in his 13-year career from 1956 to his '69 in Boston, he won 11 of his NBA titles and led the team in the last eight of his seasons. led to his eighth consecutive NBA championship. Before dominating the NBA, he also won back-to-back national championships at the University of San Francisco and a gold medal with the US Olympic men's basketball team.
Russell does a lot when he's not playing. raised the sport he loved. The dominant center became the first black head coach in the NBA after being hired by the Celtics in 1966. Years later, he became the first black player to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975.
Throughout his life, Russell stood alongside other monumental figures, including the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., as a strong advocate for equality and inclusion. His work was later recognized when he was awarded the nation's highest civilian honor, the Medal of Freedom, in 2011. President Barack Obama.
All NBA players will wear commemorative patches on their jerseys and 's court displays his number 6 clover-shaped logo on the sidelines.
The Celtics, Russell's longtime team and both player and coach, have yet to announce plans, but will recognize the franchise star in a different way.
Players actively wearing the number 6 led by LeBron James will be allowed to continue sporting the number, but the team will no longer be able to issue it.
