Basketball and the world of sports are in mourning. Has died Bill Russell11-time NBA champion with the Boston Celtics and international legend, at the age of 88, as his family reported this Sunday with a message on the former player’s Twitter account.
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“Bill Russell, the most prolific winner in American sports history, passed away peacefully this Sunday at the age of 88, with his wife, Jeannine, by his side,” the Celtics legend’s family said. In addition to a shining star with the orange ball in his hands, the center born in Monroe (Louisiana) was an activist for social rights.
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The ‘Lord of the Rings’, as he was known for being the player with the most NBA titles (rings), played his entire career for the Boston Celtics, from 1956 to 1969, and was the great protagonist of the ‘Dynasty’ that he won 11 championships, eight of them consecutively (between 1959 and 1966). His family reported that he will communicate “soon” the plans for his commemoration.
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Two-time NCAA champion, Olympic gold medalist in Melbourne 1956, Russell was also the first African-American coach in the history of North American sports. He coached the Celtics as a player-manager from 1966 to 1969 and won titles in 1968 and 1969.
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His last stage, already ‘only’ as a coach, led him to manage the Seattle SuperSonics (1973-1977) and the Sacramento Kings (1987-1988).
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“Beyond the triumphs, his way of understanding battles is what illuminated his life. (…) Bill denounced the injustices with relentless clarity with which he intended to break the the status quoand with an example that, although it was never his humble intention, will always inspire teamwork, altruism and change, ”said his family.
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Barack Obama has dedicated a heartfelt thread to him glossing his sports and, especially, human figure: “Today, we lost a giant. As tall as Bill Russell was, the legacy of him soars that much higher, both as a player and as a person.”
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“Perhaps more than anyone, Bill knew what it took to win and what it took to lead. On the court, he was the greatest champion in basketball history. Apart from that, he was a pioneer of civil rights: he marched with Dr. King and stood up with Muhammad Ali, ”says the former US president, a great basketball fan.
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Today, we lost a giant.
As tall as Bill Russell stood, his legacy rises far higher—both as a player and as a person.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 31, 2022
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His legend continues in the NBA
In his glorious career as center for the Celtics, Russell led the franchise to eleven titles in twelve finals, surrendering only in 1958 against the St. Louis Hawks. Regarded as one of the best defensive centers ever, his accomplishments also include five MVP awards and twelve All-Star calls.
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To honor his legacy, the NBA dedicated the Finals MVP award to him, which was won this year by Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver mourned Russell’s passing and called him “the greatest champion in the history of team sports.”
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