Bill Russell Gets The Ultimate Honor From The NBA

BYAlexander Cole1456 Views
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Bill Russell
This latest honor is fitting for the legendary Celtics star.

Bill Russell is one of the most legendary men to ever step on an NBA court. He won 11 championships with the Boston Celtics, and he was one of the most honorable players in league history. He was an activist who always stuck to what he believed in, and despite the racism he faced at the hands of NBA fans, he continued to push forward and win championships against legends like Wilt Chamberlain.

Russell sadly passed away recently, and over the last few weeks, he has received numerous tributes from those he touched. Now, the NBA is making Russell the first player to have their jersey number retired across the entire league. As Shams Charania reports, no one will ever be able to wear the number 6 again. 



For those at home who might be wondering, players like LeBron James and Alex Caruso will not have to change their numbers. This is a rule that is being "grandfathered" in, which means if you already have that number, you can still wear it. Once a player with that number leaves a team, that team can longer assign the number 6.


Some feel like wearing a player's number is a great way to honor them, but in that same breath, retiring the jersey just speaks to what that person meant to the league. Regardless of your feelings on this, it is great to see the NBA doing something like this for one of its most important players.


About The Author
Alexander Cole is the current Managing Editor of HotNewHipHop. He started at HotNewHipHop back in 2018 where he began as a Sports and Sneakers writer. During this time, he has shown an expertise in Air Jordans, Yeezys, and all things that have to do with Nike. His favorite kicks are the Air Jordan 1 High OG, the Air Jordan 4, the Air Jordan 6, and the Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 in the "Beluga 2.0" colorway. Although his collection might not be the biggest, he is always looking to add new styles to it. When it comes to sports, Alex has a particular interest in the NBA and the NFL. His favorite teams are anywhere LeBron goes, and the Kansas City Chiefs. As a Montrealer, the Montreal Canadiens hold a special place in his heart, even if they haven't won the Stanley Cup in his lifetime. Alex also works for the Concordia Stingers, where he provides play-by-play and color commentary for the football, hockey, and basketball teams His favorite hip-hop artists are Kendrick Lamar, Playboi Carti, Travis Scott, and Lil Uzi Vert.
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