LOS ANGELES (AP) – LeBron James is not only coming back for a 21st season, he’s coming back in his original uniform number.
James will return to number 23 next season, a move the Los Angeles Lakers revealed on Saturday by tweeting a picture of his back with James’ name and number showing on the gold jersey.
James has alternated between number 23 and number 6 after wearing 23 when he entered the NBA in 2003 with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was in number 6 while becoming the NBA’s career scoring leader last season, a number now retired by the league following the death of Boston Celtics Hall of Famer Bill Russell.
Rich Paul, James’ agent, told ESPN that James decided to make the switch out of respect for Russell.
James said on Wednesday during the broadcast of the ESPY Awards that he would continue playing next season.
