The NBA will celebrate its 75th anniversary season during the 2021-22 campaign by commemorating it as "NBA 75" and naming a list of the league's 75 greatest players, commissioner Adam Silver announced at the start of the 2021 draft on Thursday.

"The 2021-22 season will be truly special as we celebrate 75 years of NBA basketball," Silver said in a statement. "We look forward to honoring the players and teams -- both past and present -- who have inspired generations of fans around the world."

The NBA says a panel of media, current and former players, coaches, general managers and team executives will select the club. It will be announced in October and likely celebrated during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland.

Cleveland last hosted the NBA All-Star Weekend in 1997, when the league celebrated its 50th anniversary season. The NBA's inaugural campaign took place during the 1946-47 season with 11 teams.

The only three clubs remaining from the first season are the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and Philadelphia Warriors (now the Golden State Warriors).