Bill Russell's No. 6 jersey will retire throughout the NBA
The iconic Hall of Famer will be the first player in the NBA to retire.
Bill Russell will receive a commemorative patch on the shoulder of the NBA jersey for the 2022-23 season.
Announced today, they will pay tribute to the life and legacy of 11-time NBA champion bill Russell, a civil rights pioneer, whose No. 6 jersey will be permanently retired from the league. The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame icon will be the first player in the NBA to retire.
NBA President Adam Shaw said, "Bill Russell has had unparalleled success on the court, he pioneered the civil rights movement and deserves to be recognized in a unique, historic way. His No. 6 player is permanently retired from every NBA team, ensuring that Bill's exceptional career is forever recognized. ”
"This is a major honor to play the game reserved for one of the greatest champions of all time," said NBPA president Tamika, whose director trembled. "His actions on and off the pitch have helped generations of players get better throughout his life, and for that, we are forever grateful. We are proud to continue to celebrate his victory, the life and legacy of fighting alongside the league. ”
Photographed in 1956, Russell singles Oxlade-Chamberlain
In addition to retiring Russell's stats, the NBA will also pay tribute to the Boston Celtics legend in the 2022-23 season. All NBA players will wear a commemorative patch on the right shoulder of the jersey, and each NBA field will display a clover logo with a size 6 on the sideline near the scoring table. Russell has played for the Celtics throughout his career and has coached the Celtics, and they will give him a separate and unique recognition in their jersey, which will be announced soon.
Russell wore his jersey number for 13 seasons of his career from 1956 to 1969, but that number would no longer be issued by any NBA team to any player. Players currently wearing the no. 6 shirt will be awarded the title of grandfather.
Russell was seen as the ultimate winner and exemplary teammate, and his dominance in the centre position defensively and elegant athleticism transformed the game. He won a record 11 NBA titles in 13 seasons, followed by consecutive national titles at the University of San Francisco (1955 and 1956) and gold medals for the U.S. Olympic men's basketball team in 1956 (1956). Russell, who led Boston to eight consecutive NBA championships in the 1959–66 season, is synonymous with success, with the 2009 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award named after him.
His numerous accomplishments include 5 NBA Most Valuable Player Awards, 12 NBA All-Star awards and 11 NBA All-Team honors. Russell was inducted into all four NBA anniversary teams (No. 25, 35, 50, and 75) and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975. A four-time NBA rebounding champion, he ranks second in league history in terms of total rebounds (21,620) and average rebounds per game (22.5) in the regular season. In 1972, the Celtics retired his Number 6 jersey.
On April 28, 1969, Russell was the last match of his career
Russell's impact on the NBA goes far beyond his playing achievements. In 1966, he was hired by the Celtics as the first black head coach in the history of the NBA and major U.S. professional sports. As a player head coach, he led Boston to consecutive NBA championships in 1968 and 1969.
During and after his extraordinary basketball career, Russell passionately advocated the values of equality, respect and inclusion. He marched with the rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Your for civil rights. He firmly believed that all people should be treated with dignity.
Russell was awarded the 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor for a U.S. citizen, in recognition of his athletic achievements and lifelong commitment to social justice.