LOS ANGELES -- In a nod to Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell, LeBron James will change his uniform number from No. 6 back to No. 23 for the Los Angeles Lakers this upcoming season, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group told ESPN.
"It's LeBron's decision," said Paul, James' longtime friend and agent. "He chose to out of respect for Bill Russell."
Last summer, after Russell died at the age of 88, the NBA retired No. 6 across the league -- the first time a player was honored in such a fashion.