Bill Russell’s No. 6 among six numbers retired by Golden State Warriors

SAN FRANCISCO — The Warriors will retire NBA legend Bill Russell’s No. 6 jersey before their game against the Boston Celtics, the team he led to 11 titles during his 13 year career.

Russell, a Bay Area native who played basketball at McClymonds High School in Oakland and won back-to-back national championships in 1955 and 1956 at the University of San Francisco, died this past July at age 88. The Hall of Famer’s jersey will be the first retired by all NBA teams.

Russell’s daughter Karen Kenyatta Russell spoke at the ceremony with former Warriors’ president and close friend of Russell’s Rick Welts and Tom Mesechry at the center court ceremony for jersey retirement before Saturday’s game.

The 12-time All-Star was a fixture in the NBA until his death, notably handing out the NBA Finals MPV award named in his honor. That’s how most of the current Warriors, including coach Steve Kerr, first met him.

“On that stage with him in 2015 when we won our first title, I was nervous to say anything,” Kerr said. “He’s just one of those figures that was so revered across the NBA and someone who I had admired.

“I never really saw him play, but I read a lot about him and was in awe of what he had accomplished. On the court, the greatest champion ever, but even more so off the floor. What he had done in the civil rights movement, the way he carried himself with dignity. HIs presence, it was an intimidating presence. Then when you cut right to the core, you could feel the empathy and passion and strength. There’s a reason the NBA is retiring his number. He’s maybe one of the most important figures in the industry.”

Russell’s No. 6 will join Wilt Chamberlain (No. 13), Meschery (No. 14), Alvin Attles (No. 16), Rick Barry (No. 24) and Nate Thurmond (No. 42) among the six retired numbers in Warriors’ history.