sport news Boston Celtics honor Bill Russell by adding his No. 6 to the parquet paint trends now
The Boston Celtics have painted Bill Russell's No. 6 into paint on their fabled parquet floor in tribute to the Hall of Famer, who died this summer.
The 11-time NBA champion and civil rights campaigner Russell died at the age of 88 on July 31.
The Celtics unveiled a new home parquet court ahead of the 2022-23 season to honor him with the season-long tribute to his 'dominant play in the paint'.
Boston added the No. 6 to both lanes, marking the first time numerical text will be displayed within that area on an NBA court.
The franchise shared a photo of the on-court tribute showing the area painted green with the No. 6 in a lighter shade over the top.
The Celtics added the caption: 'Be on the lookout for a special tribute to Bill Russell on the parquet this season.'
The Boston Celtics have painted Bill Russell's No. 6 into the in the free throw lanes of their court in tribute to the Hall of Famer who died this summer
Boston unveiled the tribute on social media as they shared a photo of the painted No. 6
Eleven-time NBA champion and civil rights campaigner Russell died at the age of 88 in July
Boston will pay homage to Russell in several other ways throughout the season, including two nights in his honor. The first on October 18 for the season opener and a later one on February 12, which would have been his 89th birthday.
The Celtics will also wear special Russell-themed jerseys for some of their games and their regular uniforms will also have something special on them to honor him.
The league also announced its own tribute to Russell last month as it revealed it was retiring Russell's jersey number.
Following calls to retire the number in honor of one of the most influential basketball players, in August the NBA and NBPA have decided to never release a No. 6 shirt again.
The No. 6 will never be issued by the NBA again after the league revealed they will retire the number as a tribute to Boston Celtics legend Russell (pictured playing in 1967)
'Bill Russell's unparalleled success
