Enlarge image
Bill Russell (left) in December 1964
Photo: Bill Chaplis / dpa
After the death of American basketball legend Bill Russell, the NBA no longer wants to issue his jersey number six in the league in the future.
This unprecedented decision is intended to honor Russell's life and legacy, the North American professional league NBA and the players' union NBPA announced on Thursday.
The most successful NBA professional in history by title died at the end of July at the age of 88.
"Bill Russell's unparalleled success on the court and as a pioneer of the civil rights movement deserves a unique and historic tribute," said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
By no longer giving away Russell's jersey number six, his "outstanding career" will be remembered forever.
In addition, the league wants to commemorate Russell with several campaigns in the upcoming 2022/23 season.
All players should wear a badge on their jerseys, and a number six logo should be visible next to the scoreboards in the halls.
It is more common for individual teams to withdraw the numbers of particularly successful games.
However, no number has ever been "retired" in the entire league.
There have been similar cases in baseball and ice hockey.
However, NBA players who are currently wearing the number six – including top star LeBron James so far – are allowed to keep it.
Active against racism off the pitch
As an active player, Bill Russell was one of the most formative and influential basketball players in the early phase of the NBA.
Between 1957 and 1969 he won the NBA championship eleven times with the Boston Celtics – more times than any other player.
He also became the first black head coach to win two titles with the Celtics.
On and off the field, Russell has repeatedly campaigned for the fight against racism and demonstrated with Martin Luther King, among others.
In 1961, he boycotted a game to draw attention to racial discrimination against blacks in basketball.
jok/dpa