LeBron James switching back from No. 6 to No. 23 'out of respect' for late Bill Russell

LeBron James is not only coming back for a 21st season, he's coming back in his original uniform number. James will return to No. 23 next season, a move the Los Angeles Lakers revealed Saturday by tweeting a picture of his back with James's name and number showing on the gold jersey.

Number was retired by the league last year following the Celtics legend's death

The Associated Press · Posted: Jul 15, 2023 10:47 PM EDT | Last Updated: July 16, 2023

A men's basketball player wearing the No. 23 dribbles the ball on the court. — LeBron James of the Lakers, seen above in 2021, will be switching back to the No. 23 jersey number after wearing No. 6. James reportedly decided to make the switch out of respect for Hall of Famer Bill Russell, who passed away. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

LeBron James is not only coming back for a 21st season, he's coming back in his original uniform number.

James will return to No. 23 next season, a move the Los Angeles Lakers revealed Saturday by tweeting a picture of his back with James's name and number showing on the gold jersey.

It's official. 23 is back. <a href="https://t.co/hEqb5rQANk">pic.twitter.com/hEqb5rQANk</a>
—@Lakers

James has alternated between No. 23 and No. 6 after wearing 23 when he entered the NBA in 2003 with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was in No. 6 while becoming the NBA's career scoring leader last season, a number now retired by the league following the death of Boston Celtics Hall of Famer Bill Russell.

NBA, NBPA retiring Bill Russell's No. 6 across the league

Rich Paul, James's agent, told ESPN that James decided to make the switch out of respect for Russell.

LeBron James will change his uniform from No. 6 to No. 23 next season. “It’s LeBron’s decision,” Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group told ESPN. “He chose to out of respect for Bill Russell.” The NBA retired No. 6 league-wide last August; James wore it a final season to honor Russell
—@mcten