The NBA will permanently retire number 6 of its 30 franchises in honor of the legendary Bill Russellwho died on July 31 at the age of 88, the American basketball league reported Thursday.
“Bill Russell’s unparalleled success on the track and his civil rights activism deserve to be honored in a unique and historic way. Permanently retiring the number 6 from the franchise ensures that Bill’s career is forever recognized.” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said.
“This is an epochal honor for one of the greatest champions to ever play basketball,” said Tamika Tremaglio, executive director of the NBA Players Association.
Bill Russell won eleven NBA titles in thirteen seasons in the league, all lived in the jersey of the Boston Celticsbetween 1956 and 1969. He is the most successful player in the history of American sports.
Russell was also the first African-American coach in NBA history, accepting a player-coach position from 1966 to 1969, when Red Auerbach became the franchise’s manager. That stage led to the 1968 and 1969 titles.
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