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Russell’s number retired from NBA

Bill Russell’s No. 6 jersey is being retired across the NBA.

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

Russell becomes the first player to have his number retired leaguewide.

‘‘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 No. 6 across every NBA team ensures that Bill’s transcendent career will always be recognized.’’ Players who currently wear No. 6, including the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James, may continue doing so. But the number cannot be issued again, the league said.

Russell died on July 31 at the age of 88. He was the most prolific winner in NBA history, an 11-time champion during a 13-year career — winning the last two of those titles as a playercoach — and the first Black coach in any of the major U.S. pro sports to win a championship. He marched with Martin Luther King Jr., stood with Muhammad Ali and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama.

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2022-08-13T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-08-13T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/282634626396837

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