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LeBron James is again about to revert from his No #6 jersey to the No #23 in the upcoming NBA season. As per James’ agent Rich Paul, King James will be wearing the #23 which he had donned for the first three seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. But exactly what has prompted a star of James’ caliber to give up his iconic number?

When James made his debut in the NBA, he proudly sported his high school number, #23, and continued wearing it during his first seven seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, when he embarked on a new chapter with the Miami Heat in 2010, James changed significantly by switching from his iconic #23 to the #6 jersey. This decision marked a fresh start for James as he sought to make his mark with a new team and embrace a different phase of his career.

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Why did LeBron James change his jersey number from #23 to #6 in 2010?

Upon his arrival in Miami, LeBron James made a choice by deciding not to don his #23 jersey, despite having worn it throughout the initial seven seasons of his professional career. This decision was driven by James’s profound respect for basketball legend Michael Jordan.

“I just think that what Michael Jordan has done for the game has to be recognized in some way soon,” James said then. “There would be no LeBron James, no Kobe Bryant, no Dwyane Wade if there wasn’t Michael Jordan first.”

He further emphasized on urging the NBA to retire Michael Jordan’s iconic #23 league-wide and asked other players to join his petition. 

“I feel like no NBA player should wear 23. I’m starting a petition and I’ve got everyone in the NBA to sign it.” James said. “Now, if I’m not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it.”

Why did LeBron James change his Lakers jersey number to #6 from #23 after three seasons?

LeBron James wore the #6 from 2010 to 2014 during his stint with the Miami Heat. However, LeBron would revert back to #23 when he made a return to the Cavaliers in 2014. King James continued wearing his #23 throughout his second stint with the Cavs and the first three seasons with the Lakers.

But he would switch to #6 in 2021 to make the #23 jersey available for Anthony Davis following his arrival. Although LeBron did change his jersey number, Davis decided to continue wearing the number #3, which was available at the time. 

So why is LeBron James changing his number now?

The NBA retired former Celtics legend Bill Russell’s iconic #6 league-wide last year following his death. However, players who were wearing the number at the time were allowed to keep playing in the jersey. So LeBron James finished the 2022 season wearing the #6; these were his words last September on the matter.

“For me to be able to wear No. 6 this season — I’m not sure if I’ll continue to do it, but right now I’m going to wear it in honor of [Russell]. It means a lot to me,” he said.

It seems that LeBron has made the decision that he hinted at in the interview and will be wearing his old #23 from next season. The Lakers superstar has opted to give up the iconic #6 in respect to Bill Russell’s memory and his contribution to the sport.

LeBron James will once again be donning the #23 come October. 

FAQs

LeBron James wore the #23 during both stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

LeBron James wore the #6 with the Miami Heat.

LeBron James is giving up his #6 jersey in respect to NBA legend Bill Russell whose jersey has been retired league-wide.

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