LEBRON James is making a huge change to his Los Angeles Lakers jersey ahead of the 2023-24 NBA season.

The basketball superstar started wearing the iconic number 6 after he joined the Miami Heat back in 2010.

LeBron James has worn the number 6 jersey during his time at the Los Angeles Lakers

James with his agent and close friend Rich Paul talk courtside

From 2014 to 2021, he wore the number 23, then switched back after joining the Lakers.

But before the upcoming season, he plans to switch back to the number 23 jersey.

James, 38, is switching back to his old number 6 out of respect for Bill Russell, a Boston Celtics star who wore it for the duration of his 13-year career.

His agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group told ESPN: “It’s LeBron’s decision.

“He chose to out of respect for Bill Russell.”

Russell died last summer at the age of 88.

The NBA retired the number 6 across the whole of the league.

In the league’s history, it was the first time it had ever occurred.

The number can be kept by players who currently possess it.

But James was unable to make a change for the 2022–23 season due to the date of the announcement last year.

“For us to lose such an icon, it was heartbreaking for all of us,” James told ESPN at the beginning of training camp in September.

“I mean, no matter if you play the game, watch the game or a part of the game.

“We all know what Bill Russell meant to the NBA, obviously to the Celtics off the floor as well, as far as his heroism, and what he meant to Black people, being able to speak about issues that are not comfortable.

“For me to be able to wear No. 6 this season — I’m not sure if I’ll continue to do it, but right now I’m going to wear it in honor of him. It means a lot to me.”

James is making the change to honor NBA legend Bill Russell who died last year

Russell was an 11-time NBA champion with the Celtics, a five-time MVP and a 12-time All-Star.

NBA fans were left in shock at the move, thinking James would stick with his number 6 forever.

One fan said: “That’s a shame, thought he’d stay with that for life now!”