LeBron James Pays Tribute to NBA Legend Bill Russell with Jersey Number Change

• NBA

The king of the court, LeBron James, is gearing up for another change. A change that has implications far beyond the realms of fashion or personal preference; a change that marks a tribute to a late, great basketball icon.

LeBron Changes His Lakers' Jersey Number...Again!

The ever-dynamic LeBron James, who famously oscillated between wearing jersey numbers 23 and 6, has announced yet another change. This time, the "six" on his back that we've grown accustomed to seeing in the Los Angeles Lakers jersey will be replaced.

LeBron began his stellar career in Cleveland wearing the number 23. Upon his shift to Miami, he traded it for a number 6 jersey. When he returned to Cleveland, he reverted to his original number, and since 2018 he's been wearing the number 6 for the Lakers.

But that cycle has come to an end; next season, LeBron will be wearing number 23 once again, as announced by his agent Rich Paul. Paul, James' close friend and long-term agent, noted that the decision was purely LeBron's. "He chose to out of respect for Bill Russell," Paul said.

A Tribute to a Legend: Remembering Bill Russell

Bill Russell, a basketball titan with an impressive 11 NBA championship rings to his name, sadly passed away last summer at the age of 89. In his honor, the NBA decided to retire Russell's iconic number 6 jersey.

Current players who wear the number have been allowed to keep it, but only as long as they remain with their current clubs. But LeBron chose a different path. He decided to honor Russell by giving up the number 6, ensuring that he ends his career with the very number he first donned when setting foot on the NBA floor.

Remembering Russell, LeBron told ESPN at the start of training camp in September, "For us to lose such an icon, it was heartbreaking for all of us. We all know what Bill Russell meant to the NBA, obviously to the Celtics off the floor as well, as far as his heroism...and what he meant to Black people, being able to speak about issues that are not comfortable." LeBron continued, "For me to be able to wear No.

6 this season -- I'm not sure if I'll continue to do it, but right now I'm going to wear it in honor of him. It means a lot to me."