THE NBA has permanently changed their uniform league-wide this 2022-2023 season.
Here's everything you need to know about the NBA's honorable design.
1
Why do NBA jerseys have the number 6 on them?
The number 6 patch appearing on NBA jerseys is a nod to Bill Russell's legacy on the court.
After NBA legend Russell died in July 2022, the league announced several ways it would honor the basketball icon.
One of these decisions meant a number 6 commemorative patch would be displayed on the right shoulder of all jerseys throughout the current 2022-23 season and beyond.
Every player in the league has his number placed above the Nike Swoosh or Air Jordan's Jumpman logo in a black-white-gold colorway.
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When did Bill Russell die?
Basketball legend Bill Russell died at the age of 88 on July 31, 2022.
The Boston Celtics legend amassed 11 NBA titles, five MVPs and 12 All-Star appearances during a star-studded career.
He also swept up countless other accolades while rocking the iconic 6 on his back from 1956-1969.
When the legendary number “6″ passed away, his death was met with an outpouring of emotion and affection for the Hall of Famer.
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Off the court, he was a civil rights icon who fought for racial justice during and after his playing career.
Has the number 6 been retired for NBA jerseys?
After Russell's death, the NBA declared they would no longer issue a new number six jersey to a player league-wide.
This marks the first time in league history a number was retired across all organizations.
For existing players, such as LeBron James who are already wearing the number 6, the NBA "grandfathered" their jerseys.
This means they can still choose to wear it until they retire or swap to a new number - but no new players into the league can choose the number six.
Russell's iconic No6 has long been retired by the Celtics.
