Bill Russell, a legendary American basketball player, passed away at age 88.
While playing for the Boston Celtics throughout a 13-year career, center Russell set a record by winning 11 NBA championships and five NBA Most Valuable Player trophies.
In addition to leading America to Olympic victory in 1956, he pioneered equal rights as the league’s first black head coach.
Adam Silver, the commissioner of the NBA, proclaimed Bill Russell to be the greatest champion in all of the team sports.
“The countless accolades he earned for his storied career with the Boston Celtics only begin to tell the story of Bill’s immense impact on our league and broader society.”
Bill was a fervent supporter of social justice and civil rights throughout the height of his athletic career; this legacy was passed down to generations of NBA players who followed in his footsteps.
Russell was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame for the first time as a player in 1975. He was then inducted again as a coach in 2021, and the Celtics retired his No. 6 jersey.
