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NBA legend and civil rights activist Bill Russell’s number 6 jersey to be retired league-wide

US basketball legend Bill Russell’s number 6 jersey is being retired across the National Basketball Association (NBA).

The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association made the announcement on Thursday, permanently retiring the number worn by the 11-time champion and civil rights activist, who was good enough to have been enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach.

Russell is the first player to have his number retired league-wide.

The Boston Celtics star died at age 88 on July 31.

“Bill Russell’s unparalleled success on the court and pioneering civil rights activism deserve to be honored in a unique and historic way,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said.

“Permanently retiring his number 6 across every NBA team ensures that Bill’s transcendent career will always be recognized.”

Players who currently wear number 6 — including the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James — may continue doing so.

But the number cannot be issued again, the league said.

Bill Russell standing in a gray suit at an NBA game
Bill Russell was the most prolific winner in the NBA’s history. (AP Photo: Michael Dwyer)

All NBA players will wear a patch on the right shoulder of their jerseys this season, the league said, and every NBA court will display a clover-shaped logo with the number 6 on the sideline near the scorer’s table.

The Celtics have “separate and unique recognition for him on their uniforms” planned, the NBA said.

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