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Honoring The Late Bill Russell, NBA Permanently Retires No. 6 Across The League

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Bill Russell is eventually getting the posthumous commendation from the NBA, as the association recently announced that the Celtic legend’s No. 6 will be retired throughout the league, which would make him the first player to receive such an honor.

Bill Russell becomes the first NBA player ever to have his number permanently retired

The NBA has announced that one player will have his number leaguewide for the first time in the history of leagues, that is Russell who died on 31st July.

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The late Bill Russell is considered the greatest champion of the league and the signature of its Finals MVP award which would be honored. Players entering the league will no longer get the No. 6 uniform. So far, present players who wear No. 6, like the Lakers’ LeBron James can carry on with the uniform number.

It is a commendable move made by the NBA to honor one of the best players in the history of basketball. They will honor the life and legacy of Russell by retiring his No.6 uniform throughout the league as announced by the NBA Players Association and the league.

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The decision is explained by NBA commissioner Adam Silver in a statement, “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.” [H/T PopCulture.com]

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“This is a momentous honor reserved for one of the greatest champions to ever play the game. 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,” NBPA executive director Tamika Tremaglio added. [H/T PopCulture.com]

The league will honor the Basketball Hall of Famer throughout the season of 2022-23 accompanying the retiring number of Russell.

Each and every player in NBA will wear a remembrance patch on the right shoulder of their jerseys, and the entire NBA court will feature a clover-shaped logo with the No. 6 on the sideline. In his career, Russell fully played with the Boston Celtics, and the team will honor him with a separate and unique recognition on their uniforms.

From 1956 to 1969, Russell was a member of the Celtics and led the team to 11 NBA Championships. Five times NBA MVP award winner was selected to the All-Star game 12 times, named to the All-NBA Team 11 times, and selected to the four different anniversary teams.

“Bill was a champion unlike any other in the history of team sports – an 11-time NBA champion, including winning eight consecutive titles, a five-time MVP, an Olympic Gold Medalist and the NBA’s first Black head coach,” an official statement from the Celtics read, “Bill Russell’s DNA is woven through every element of the Celtics organization, from the relentless pursuit of excellence, to the celebration of team rewards over individual glory, to a commitment to social justice and civil rights off the court.”

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