LeBron James Makes Jersey Number Change: Pays Tribute to Bill Russell by Returning to No. 23

After wearing No. 6 for the past two seasons, LeBron James has announced that he will be changing his jersey number once again. The Los Angeles Lakers star will be returning to No. 23, the number he wore during his first three seasons with the team. His agent, Rich Paul, confirmed the decision, stating that it was LeBron's choice.

The NBA had previously announced last August that it would retire the No. 6 league-wide to honor Bill Russell, the renowned Boston Celtics legend and civil rights advocate who won 11 NBA championships.

However, players who were already wearing No. 6, including LeBron James, were allowed to continue doing so. Nevertheless, James has decided to make the change back to No. 23 out of respect for Bill Russell, according to his agent.


LeBron James had hinted to ESPN in September that he was considering a jersey number change after the 2022-23 season. He expressed that wearing No. 6 for another season held significant personal value to him. However, he has ultimately decided to return to No. 23, the number he originally wore when he entered the league as the first overall pick for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2003 NBA draft.

History of Jersey Number Changes

Throughout his illustrious career, LeBron James has made multiple transitions in his jersey number. After wearing No. 23 in Cleveland, he switched to No. 6 when he joined the Miami Heat in 2010. However, he returned to No. 23 for his second stint in Cleveland, starting in 2014. When he joined the Lakers in 2018, he initially retained No. 23 but later changed to No. 6 in 2021.

LeBron James has once again altered his jersey number, opting to return to No. 23 with the Los Angeles Lakers. This decision marks a tribute to Bill Russell and demonstrates James' respect for the legendary player.

FAQs

What is LeBron James known for?
Having secured three National Basketball Association (NBA) championships and four NBA MVP awards (2008–09, 2009–10, 2011–12, and 2012–13), James has also showcased his skills in multiple men's Olympic basketball tournaments. Today, he is universally recognized as one of the most exceptional all-around basketball players in history.

Why did LeBron go back to 23?
LeBron James has decided to return to jersey number 23 as a sign of reverence for the late Bill Russell.