Thunder’s Jaylin Williams will be the last player in NBA history to wear #6
On July 31, 2022, NBA legend Bill Russell passed away at the age of 88. Hall of Fame members are one of the most historical professions in the history of the league. Russell is a 12th All-Star, 11th NBA champion and five-time league MVP.
In honor of his impact on the NBA, his sixth place retired before the 2022-23 season. At the time, players like LeBron James and Deandre Jordan wore that number. However, they were joined by their grandfather and allowed to wear it. Jordan is no longer in the NBA, and James has since turned #23. OKC’s Jaylin Williams wears #6. Recently announced that he will be the final player in the NBA history of the legendary figures of Bill Russell.
Jaylin Williams is honored to be the final player in #6 in NBA history
With Bill Russell’s sixth-place retirement in the league in 2022, Jaylin Williams will be the last player ever to wear that number 🤯 pic.twitter.com/oks1xxg55g
– Stand Report (@BleacherReport) October 2, 2025
In the 2022 NBA Draft, the Thunder used a second-round pick to select Jaylin Williams from Arkansas. After being drafted, Williams wasn’t sure what Jersey to wear. When he asked his father for advice, he was told to attend #6. That’s where Williams ends up becoming a rookie. After a few years, he had little idea of the meaning of the choice. Hall of Fame Bill Russell passed away in July 2022.
In honor of him, the league retired throughout the entire Jersey league. At the time, Deandre Jordan was in #6 and he was joined by his grandfather. The 23-year-old center has been held by his grandfather to keep the jersey number moving forward. Jaylin Williams will receive a unique honor as the final player in NBA history #6.
Jaylin Williams was the last player to wear No. 6: “I’m honored. I know No. 6 was retired by the great Bill Russell.”
Say his father picked the numbers for him pic.twitter.com/oqwbkkxinr
– Clemente Almanza (@Calmanza1007) October 1, 2025
Jaylin Williams signed a three-year, $24 million extension with OKC over the past offseason. In the 2027-28 season, he signed a contract with the team. In the three years in the NBA, Williams played 165 games and started 46 games. He played 47 games in 2024-25 and played 9 games. Williams is part of the Thunder that won the 2025 NBA Finals.
The 23-year-old big man is the bench for Thunder head coach Mark Digneault. Williams is a solid backup center that can shoot from outside the arc. During his career, Jaylin Williams scored 0.390% hit rate from Deep. For frontcourt players, this impressed people. As he has done in the past, Jaylin Williams will be the depth of the Thunder’s bench. Can OKC repeat the NBA championship in 2025-26?
