When Jaylin Williams’ father selected his son’s jersey number, he had no idea the weight it’d carry three years later. Now, the 23-year-old has the special distinction of being the last player in NBA history to wear No. 6.
After basketball legend Bill Russell passed away in 2022 at 88 years old, the NBA honored him by retiring his No. 6 jersey league-wide. That means everybody who already had the jersey number was grandfathered in, making them the last group of players to wear No. 6.
After DeAndre Jordan left the Denver Nuggets, only Williams remains as the last player to wear No. 6. The Oklahoma City Thunder added him with the No. 34 pick of the 2022 NBA draft. He’s developed in three seasons as a quality role player who helped them win an NBA championship.
As the Thunder continue their 2025-26 training camp, Williams reflected on being the last No. 6 left in the NBA. While the league retired it a month after he selected the number, he shouldered the symbolism behind it after Russell died.
“I’m honored. I know the No. 6 was retired for the great Bill Russell,” Williams said. “I’m honored to be able to wear the number.”
The Thunder signed Williams to a three-year, $24 million contract extension this past offseason. Expect him to continue to be a key bench piece who can occasionally start. His ability to shoot from the outside and facilitate the offense has made him a rotation player.
Now, Williams will forever be known by the trivial fact of being the last NBA player to wear No. 6.
Jaylin Williams on being the last player to wear No. 6: “I’m honored. I know the No. 6 was retired by the great Bill Russell.”
Said his dad picked out the number for him pic.twitter.com/OQwBKkxiNr
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 1, 2025