NBA Announced They Will Retire #6 League Wide In Honor Of Bill Russell
The NBA announced number “6” will forever belong to Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell. The league and the NBPA agreed to permanently retire Russell’s No. 6 across the NBA. It’s the first time a player’s number has been retired across the NBA.
Commissioner Adam Silver said the move will ensure Russell’s “transcendent career will always be recognized.”
“Bill Russell’s unparalleled success on the court and pioneering civil rights activism deserve to be honored in a unique and historic way,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “Permanently retiring his No. 6 across every NBA team ensures that Bill’s transcendent career will always be recognized.”
Russell, is the winningest basketball player of all time. Russell won 11 championships in 13 seasons with the Celtics. He won five MVP awards, made 11 All-NBA teams and was a 12-time All-Star over his 13 years in the league. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975.
The life and legacy of 11-time NBA champion and civil rights pioneer Bill Russell will be honored by retiring his uniform number, 6, throughout the league. The iconic Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer will be the first player to have his number retired across the NBA. pic.twitter.com/OSVx02bQDl
— NBA (@NBA) August 11, 2022