LeBron James Jersey Number Change: Why Did Lakers Star Switch From 6 to 23?

The four-time NBA champion has bounced back and forth between these two numbers throughout his career.

Fans will get to see Lakers star LeBron James sporting the iconic No. 23 again this NBA season after he wore No. 6 the entirety of the last two seasons.

The 38-year-old’s new, but old, jersey will be in the limelight on Tuesday night for the Lakers’ opening game vs. the Nuggets.

James has switched back and forth between the two numbers throughout his career, but it looks like he’s done with No. 6 out of respect for the late Bill Russell, his agent Rich Paul told ESPN back in July. The league retired No. 6 in Aug. 2022 after Russell died, but James continued to wear the number last season to honor the 11-time NBA champion.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James will once again wear No. 23 this season, after switching to No. 6 for the last two years :: Kiyoshi Mio/USA TODAY Sports

This will be the second time James has worn No. 23 during his tenure with the Lakers. He donned the number from 2018 to ’21 with the team, then made the switch to No. 6 for the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons.

While wearing No. 23 with Los Angeles for three seasons, James helped the Lakers to an NBA title in 2020, and was named NBA Finals MVP that year.

He won two of his four NBA titles with the No. 6 back with the Heat in 2012 and ‘13. He wore No. 23 during his ‘16 title with the Cavaliers.