NBA to retire Bill Russell’s number league-wide: Which current NBA players wear No. 6?
The NBA and National Basketball Players Association announced Thursday that the late great Bill Russell will retire his league-wide No. 6 jersey.
The NBA and NBPA announced today that they will honor the life and legacy of 11-time NBA champion and civil rights pioneer Bill Russell by permanently retiring his league-wide uniform No. 6.
Full publication: https://t.co/jFjZwKtiB2 pic.twitter.com/LdXT4Mf8W7
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) August 11, 2022
Along with Jackie Robinson (No. 42) and Wayne Gretzky (No. 99), Russell is the only player in the history of United States professional sports, along with Jackie Robinson (No. 42) and Wayne Gretzky (No. 99), whose jersey numbers are in a were withdrawn throughout the league.
MORE: How Bill Russell revolutionized defense
Although no new players can wear the number 6, players who currently wear the jersey number – notably LeBron James – wear is “inhabited” and may continue to wear that number if they wish.
Which current NBA players wear the No. 6? We have the full list below.
Bill Russell Shirt Retirement: Which Current NBA Players Are Wearing the No. 6?
James is the most notable player currently wearing the No.6.
While these players can still wear Russell’s shirt number in his honor, don’t be surprised if some players change their number this season.
For example, when the great Kobe Bryant died, several players changed their jersey numbers from #8 or #24 to a different number.
Below is the full list of players who wore the No. 6 last season.
| player | team |
|---|---|
| Nickelil Alexander Walker | Utah jazz |
| Moses Brown | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Shaq Buchanan | Memphis Grizzlies |
| Alex Caruso | Chicago Bulls |
| Zylan Cheatham | Utah jazz |
| Gabriel Deck | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Hamido Diallo | Detroit piston |
| David Duke Jr. | Brooklyn Networks |
| Bryn Forbes | Denver nuggets |
| Melvin Frazier | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Quentin Grimes | New York Knicks |
| Montrezl Harrell | Washington Wizard |
| Lebron James | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Keon Johnson | Portland Trail Blazer |
| Kenyon Martin Jr. | Houston missiles |
| Jalen McDaniels | Charlotte Hornets |
| Jordan McLaughlin | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| Kevin Pangos | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Kristaps Porziņģis | Washington Wizard |
| Javonte Smart | Milwaukee Bucks |
| Lance Stephenson | Indiana Pacers |
| Rayjon Tucker | Denver nuggets |
| Luca Vildoza | Milwaukee Bucks |
| Tyrone Wallace | Pelicans from New Orleans |
| Lou Williams | Atlanta Hawks |