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NBA star LeBron James has decided to change his jersey number from 6 to 23 for the upcoming 2023-2024 season of Los Angeles Lakers. The announcement from the team came on Saturday evening, July 14. According to James’ agent Rich Paul, the Lakers’ star made this decision to honor the NBA legend Bill Russell, who passed away at the age of 88 last summer.
After Russell’s death, NBA had announced that his No.6 jersey would be retired across every team. However, the announcement also said that the players who were wearing No. 6 jersey at that time could continue to do so. Paul was in conversation with ESPN, where he said, "It's LeBron's decision. He chose to out of respect for Bill Russell."
Russell was a record 11-time NBA champion with Boston Celtics as well as a five-time MVP and 12-time All-Star. In 2009, the NBA Finals MVP trophy was named after Russell. Notably, James had sported the No. 23 jersey during the first three seasons with his team, Los Angeles Lakers.
After Russell’s death, James told ESPN, “For us to lose such an icon, 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."