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SAN FRANCISCO — The Warriors retired NBA legend Invoice Russell’s No. 6 jersey earlier than their sport in opposition to the Boston Celtics, the crew he led to 11 titles throughout his 13 12 months profession.
Russell, a Bay Space native who performed basketball at McClymonds Excessive Faculty in Oakland and received back-to-back nationwide championships in 1955 and 1956 on the College of San Francisco, died this previous July at age 88. The Corridor of Famer’s jersey would be the first retired by all NBA groups.
Russell’s daughter Karen Kenyatta Russell spoke on the ceremony earlier than Saturday’s sport, together with former Warriors’ president and shut pal of Russell’s Rick Welts and Tom Mesechry, a longtime Warrior from Russell’s period who has his No. 14 retired.
The 12-time All-Star was a fixture within the NBA till his dying, notably handing out the NBA Finals MVP award named in his honor. That’s how many of the present Warriors, together with coach Steve Kerr, first met him.
“On that stage with him in 2015 after we received our first title, I used to be nervous to say something,” Kerr stated. “He’s simply a type of figures that was so revered throughout the NBA and somebody who I had admired.
“I by no means actually noticed him play, however I learn lots about him and was in awe of what he had achieved. On the courtroom, the best champion ever, however much more so off the ground. What he had accomplished within the civil rights motion, the best way he carried himself with dignity. HIs presence, it was an intimidating presence. Then whenever you lower proper to the core, you may really feel the empathy and keenness and power. There’s a purpose the NBA is retiring his quantity. He’s possibly probably the most vital figures within the business.”
Russell’s No. 6 will be a part of Wilt Chamberlain (No. 13), Meschery (No. 14), Alvin Attles (No. 16), Rick Barry (No. 24) and Nate Thurmond (No. 42) among the many six retired numbers in Warriors’ historical past.
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