Getty Image / Aaron Ontiveroz
It’s going to be LeBron James’s 21st season in the NBA this upcoming year, an incredible feat given the wear and tear he has put on his body since he came into the league at 18 years old in 2003. But, one big thing will be different this year compared to last season, and that’s his jersey number.
The four-time MVP has changed his jersey number from 23 to 6, and back, and back again during his career. In his two stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he has worn 23, the number he wore as a high school player at St. Vincent St. Mary’s High School in Akron, Ohio. And, in his stint in Miami and his current time with the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James has won 6 for his jersey number.
But, that’s going to change this upcoming year, as LeBron James is returning to wearing 23.
LeBron James will change his uniform from No. 6 to No. 23 next season. “It’s LeBron’s decision,” Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group told ESPN. “He chose to out of respect for Bill Russell.” The NBA retired No. 6 league-wide last August; James wore it a final season to honor Russell
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 16, 2023
How I go from 6 to 23 like I'm LeBron? pic.twitter.com/jsn8akIlyD
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) July 16, 2023
It’s quite the gesture towards Bill Russell. Russell, who won 11 titles as a player and 2 as a coach for the Boston Celtics, passed away last July. The 88-year-old, who is the namesake of the NBA Finals MVP trophy, which Lebron James has won four times, was 88. His jersey was retired league-wide last season, but players currently wearing 6 like James were grandfathered in. Credit to LeBron for giving it up.