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Bill Russell, one of the greatest basketball players of all time and a leading figure on and off the court, has died Sunday, his family announced. he was 88 years old.
Russell’s family said in a statement that he died “peacefully” with his wife by his side.
“It is with a very heavy heart that I would like to convey to all of Bill’s friends, fans and followers,” the statement began.
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“Bill Russell, one of the most prolific winners in American sports history, passed away peacefully today at the age of 88, along with his wife Jeanie. Arrangements for his memorial service will be announced soon.
“Bill’s two state championships during high school provided a glimpse into an unparalleled streak of pure team achievement: two-time NCAA champion, gold medal-winning US Olympic team captain, 11-time NBA champion. Champion and two-time NBA Championship as the first black head coach of a North American professional sports team.
“In the process, Bill won an unprecedented series of individual awards he didn’t mention. In 2009, the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award was named after a two-time Hall of Famer.” The Russell NBA Finals was renamed “Most Valuable Player Award”.
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His family said he should not forget his victories in court, but also his achievements and struggles in the civil rights movement.
“But despite all the victories, Bill’s understanding of the struggle was what lit his life,” the statement read. From debunking tolerated discrimination to leading Mississippi’s first all-around basketball camp on Medgar’s flammable trail, [Evers’] Against decades of activism, acknowledged by his 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom, Bill intended to disrupt the status quo by calling out injustice with his relentless candor. . Inspire teamwork, selflessness, and thoughtful change forever.
“Bill’s wife, Jeanie, and his many friends and family thank you for keeping Bill’s prayers. [relive] We remember the one or two golden moments he gave us, or his trademark laugh when he happily explained the true story behind how those moments unfolded. And I hope that each of us can find new ways to act and speak up in Bill’s commitment to uncompromising, dignified, and always constructive principles. It will be the last and lasting victory for our beloved #6. “
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has released a statement following Russell’s passing.
“Bill Russell was the greatest champion in all of team sports. The countless accolades he earned during his illustrious career with the Boston Celtics (a record 11 championships and 5 MVP awards). ) has just begun to tell the story of the immense impact Bill has had on us: The League and the wider society,” Silver Aid.
“Bill represented something much bigger than sport. A tireless advocate for justice, this is the legacy he left to generations of NBA players who followed in his footsteps. He remained true to his belief that every human being deserves to be treated with dignity.
Silver said Russell was “the ultimate winner, the perfect teammate and his influence. [on] The NBA will feel like forever. “
Russell was selected 2nd overall in the 1956 draft by the St. Louis Hawks. He was selected behind Rochester Royals selection Sea Greene and in front of Minneapolis Lakers selection Jim Paxson Sr. Russell would go on to score more points than both players combined.
In San Francisco, Russell helped the Dons win two consecutive NCAA titles in 1955 and 1956. He also led team his USA to a gold medal at the 1956 Olympics.
Russell was traded to the Hawks on draft day for Cliff Hagan and Ed McCauley. He maintained his dominance in the pros, leading Boston to his 11 championships, including his eighth straight. He led his NBA in rebounding his fifth time, but this is just one of his two players to record 50 or more rebounds in one game. .
Russell broke the color barrier in coaching when he became the first black NBA head coach in 1966. He coached Boston in his two NBA Championships. He later coached the Seattle SuperSonics and the Sacramento Kings.
Outside the court, Russell fought racist abuse and was a key leader in the fight for equality, publicly speaking about what he saw and heard while playing.
He and other black teammates boycotted an exhibition game in Kentucky in 1961 after being denied service at a restaurant. Russell also supported Muhammad Ali’s refusal to draft during the Vietnam War.
Russell has been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame twice. Once as a player and once as a coach. His number 6 jersey was retired by the Celtics and he is named after his NBA Finals MVP award.
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During his illustrious career, Russell was a 12-time All-Star, 11-time NBA Champion, 5-time MVP, and 11-time All-NBA selection.