According to reports, LeBron James will once again switch the number on his LA Lakers shirt beginning in the upcoming season. Upon his arrival at the Miami Heat in 2010, the premier point producer in NBA history transitioned to No. 6, but for his subsequent term in Cleveland commencing in 2014, he opted to change to No. 23.
Prior to his return to the Lakers in 2018, he donned the No. 23 jersey, only to later revert to No. 6 on his jersey in 2021. It’s amply clear that LeBron keeps fans guessing not just with his game, but also with the digits on his jersey.
LeBron James to change jersey number
In honor of Bill Russell, a former basketball legend for the Boston Celtics, LeBron James will cease wearing the number 6 for the Los Angeles Lakers and switch back to his usual number 23 for the upcoming season.
“For us to lose that icon was heartbreaking,” when Bill Russell passed away just before the start of the previous season, LeBron said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re playing, watching the game, or a part of the game.
New story: LeBron James will change his jersey from No. 6 to No. 23 next season in a nod of respect to Bill Russell, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group told ESPN https://t.co/UDAWBTh14a
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 16, 2023
We all know what Bill Russell meant to the NBA, obviously to the Celtics off the court as well, in terms of his heroism…and what he meant to African Americans for being able to talk about issues that are not comfortable.” He articulated.
James is returning to No. 23 for the upcoming 2023–24 season after donning No. 6 for the previous two seasons.
Why did James wear No.6 jersey last year?
Rich Paul, a close comrade and former representative of “King James,” said that LeBron’s choice was motivated by his immense admiration for Bill Russell. The legend is regarded as one of the best basketball players in history and received high praise for his absolutely exemplary leadership.
He has also managed to win despite of the circumstances consecutive NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956 while playing for the San Francisco Dons. The “L-Train” was one of the final NBA players to don the number 6 after the league retired it as a homage to Bill Russell, who passed away in the summer of 2022 having gracefully attained the distinguished age of 88.
This revelation caused an absence of available inventory of the Lakers’ No. 6 jersey, as the National Basketball Association’s release compelled all the available production to sell out, and even LeBron James’ jersey had the highest sales of any jersey during the second half of the 22–23 campaign.
To put it in perspective, LeBron James exhibits his deep awareness of basketball’s effect and significance outside of competition in this way.
