LeBron James has decided to switch his uniform from No. 6 back to No. 23 for next season, as he honors the late, great Bill Russell.
James wore No. 6 for the Los Angeles Lakers last season – the jersey made famous by Russell, who died in July 2022 – and when the NBA decided to retire the number league-wide, LeBron was among the active players allowed to continue wearing it.
But now James is switching back to his former No 23, first worn in the NBA during his time with Cleveland, as explained by his agent Rich Paul.
‘It’s LeBron’s decision,’ Paul told ESPN. ‘He chose to out of respect for Bill Russell.’
The decision to retire the No 6 across the league in honor of Russell was a first for the NBA, but the timing of the decision made it difficult for teams to restock their stores with changed numbers – especially for a player as popular as LeBron.
LeBron James appears to have worn No. 6 for the final time in his long and storied NBA career
James will suit up with the No. 23 again this fall, after switching back to his former number
The NBA made an historic decision to retire the No. 6 league-wide to honor Bill Russell in 2022
Speaking at the start of training camp last September, LeBron was asked about Russell and the No 6: ‘For us to lose such an icon, it was it was heartbreaking for all of us.
‘I mean, no matter if you play the game, watch the game or a part of the game. We all know what Bill Russell meant to the NBA, obviously to the Celtics off the floor as well, as far as his heroism.
‘And what he meant to Black people, being able to speak about issues that are not comfortable.
‘For me to be able to wear No. 6 this season, I’m not sure if I’ll continue to do it, but right now I’m going to wear it in honor of him. It means a lot to me.’
James confirmed he would return to the NBA while collecting an ESPY Award in LA last week
Russell is a Boston Celtics legend. He is pictured playing against the Knicks in 1966
James has flip-flopped between the No. 6 and the No. 23 throughout his career, but is now likely to finish with the latter on his uniform.
He began with No. 23 with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and then first wore No. 6 for Team USA, later picking it up again when he joined the Miami Heat, as they had already retired 23 in honor of Michael Jordan.
James returned to No. 23 for his second stint in Cleveland, plus his first two seasons in Los Angeles, before switching back to No. 6 for the last three years with the Lakers.
In total, James has worn No. 23 for 13 of his 20 seasons, and that will become 14 of 21 this fall.
