Star LeBron James will return with the number 23 on his back – a way for him to pay tribute to the late legend Bill Russell

In the 2023/24 season, LeBron James will return to wearing the number 23 shirt, instead of wearing the number 6 outfit. According to the representative company Klutch Sports, this is a personal decision to respect the legend Bill Russell.

The late Boston Celtics player passed away last summer, and the NBA organizers decided to hang the number 6 shirt on all teams. Players who are using this number still have the right to keep the number.

LeBron will give up the number 6 shirt

LeBron James had intended to switch numbers from that time, but the time was too close to the new season and the Lakers did not have time to produce more shirts of the original Akron player.

Last season, LeBron’s jerseys were still the best-selling NBA jerseys. According to NBAstore.com, his No. 6 shirt at the Lakers was the most purchased item in the second half of the season.

James will have the 15th season wearing the number 23 shirt of his career

Bill Russell has 11 NBA titles with the Boston Celtics as both a player and a coach. He has 5 MVP titles, 12 All-Star appearances, and is the first black coach in league history. The late legend’s name is given to the title Finals MVP.

This title has been awarded to LeBron James 4 times, when he has won the title twice with the Miami Heat, once at the Cleveland Cavaliers and once at the Los Angeles Lakers.

LeBron’s first shirt number at the Los Angeles Lakers was 23, then he intended to give it to Anthony Davis so he switched to number 6, but AD did not take this number for some reason and decided to wear number 3.

The late legend Bill Russell has repeatedly presented the trophy to LeBron James

In total, LeBron James wore the number 23 shirt – like his idol Michael Jordan – in 14 of the past 20 seasons of his career.

No. 6 started sticking with this 4-time MVP winner from the US team. Then, he again switched to this number when playing for the Miami Heat.