Jaylin Williams Upholds Russell’s Legacy as the Last No. 6 in the NBA
The legacy of Bill Russell, the legendary Boston Celtics center, looms large in the NBA. In 2022, the league took a monumental step by retiring his iconic No. 6 jersey, ensuring that no new player would wear it. However, those already donning the number were grandfathered in, allowing them to continue using it. This practice mirrors the retirement of Jackie Robinson’s No. 42 in Major League Baseball, where Mariano Rivera, the sport’s greatest closer, was the last to wear it.
The Last Holdout: Jaylin Williams
In the NBA, the torchbearer for Russell’s No. 6 is none other than Jaylin Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Not to be confused with his teammate Jalen Williams, who emerged as a standout last season, Jaylin has had a different trajectory. While Jalen shone as the Thunder’s second-best player, Jaylin primarily contributed off the bench, averaging 5.1 points per game, a number that doesn’t quite capture the potential he holds.
Despite the weight of the number he wears, Jaylin’s path diverges from the monumental achievements of Russell, a player whose impact on the game transcended statistics. Yet, in a twist of fate for the 2024-25 season, the Thunder claimed the NBA championship, granting Williams the honor of being a titleholder. He now finds himself part of an exclusive club, albeit still ten rings short of matching Russell’s legendary tally.
No Changes Ahead for Williams
There was buzz around whether Williams might opt for a change in jersey number as the new season approached, a gesture of respect or perhaps a personal reinvention. However, as the Thunder unveiled their training camp roster, Williams was confirmed to remain No. 6. This decision speaks volumes about his commitment to honoring Russell’s legacy while navigating his own career.
Uniform numbers carry significant weight in sports culture, often serving as a tribute to past legends while also symbolizing the honor bestowed upon the player. For now, Jaylin Williams stands as a tribute to Bill Russell, the last NBA player to wear the revered No. 6, ready to carve out his own legacy as he continues his journey in the league.
