No one will ever wear the # 6 jersey in the American basketball league again.
It is the historic tribute from the NBA to Bill Russell, the great Celtics champion who died a few days ago at 88: the league has in fact decided to withdraw the "6" of all 30 teams and not only from Boston, thus leaving that number linked to the player for 13 seasons in the ranks of the Celtics, 11 times NBA champion.
An unprecedented recognition in the stars and stripes championship: Russell is in fact the
first player to receive this tribute
.
"His success is unmatched in NBA history, both on and off the pitch - the words of commissioner Adam Silver -. Nobody has been able to affect as much as he was, he was a pioneer, a champion whose career allowed him to be transcendental and to go beyond the results on the court. He has fought to break down prejudices and has been a unique example of winning rights for decades. "
The only players exempted from this provision will be those, such as LeBron James, who already wear the number 6 to the Lakers and who will be able to continue wearing it until the end of their career.
However, no new player will be able to choose to wear a number that will remain forever linked to Russell's memory.