NBA superstar LeBron James is switching back to his iconic jersey number 23 for his upcoming 21st season. After wearing number 6 for the past two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, James will once again don the number he wore during his previous stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and his initial years in Los Angeles.

James' agent, Rich Paul, informed ESPN that the decision to return to number 23 is a tribute to the late Bill Russell. Following Russell's passing in 2022, the NBA retired his number 6 league-wide. While players currently wearing the number were permitted to continue doing so, James has opted to honor Russell by switching back to his original number.

This change marks another chapter in James' storied career, which includes four NBA championships, four MVP awards, and the all-time scoring record. He initially switched to number 6 when he joined the Miami Heat in 2010, wearing it for four seasons before returning to 23 upon his return to Cleveland. He then wore 23 for his first season with the Lakers before switching back to 6 for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons.

The announcement follows James' recent statement at the ESPYs where he addressed speculation about his potential retirement. He admitted to contemplating retirement for the past couple of years but ultimately decided to return for at least one more season. Despite briefly considering retirement, James showcased remarkable performance in his 20th season, averaging 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists.

James' decision to return to number 23 adds an exciting element to the upcoming NBA season, and fans are eager to see him back on the court.