why is jacory croskey merritt called bill

Jacory Croskey-Merritt is called "Bill" because of a childhood nickname he received due to having a very short haircut or bald head when he was little. People teased him by saying he resembled the character "Little Bill" from the children's television series created by Bill Cosby. The nickname "Bill" stuck with him, and he prefers to be called Bill, even asking broadcasters to use that name during television broadcasts.