Bill Russell, a Boston Celtics legend who won 11 championships over his career and served as the first Black head coach of any U.S. professional sports team, died Sunday. He was 88 years old.
Russell’s death was confirmed through his official social media accounts, sharing that the NBA legend died peacefully with his wife, Jeannine, by his side.
“We hope each of us can find a new way to act or speak up with Bill’s uncompromising, dignified and always constructive commitment to principle,” reads the statement shared on Russell’s account. “That would be one last, and lasting, win for our beloved #6.”
Described by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as “the greatest champion in all of team sports,” Russell brought 11 championships to the Boston Celtics across his 13-year tenure with the team. He was a five-time MVP winner and a 12-time All-Star. Many argue that Russell is the most impactful defensive player in the history of the league.
Born William Felton Russell on Feb. 12, 1934 in Monroe, Louisiana, Russell moved to the Bay Area with his family, blossoming as a high school athlete in Oakland before attending the University of San Francisco and beginning his impressive rise in professional basketball.
Russell led the Dons to consecutive NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956. He also helped the United States net gold at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia.
After the St. Louis Hawks selected Russell in the 1956 NBA draft, Celtics chief Red Auerbach organized a trade to land the elite center. The two teams would go on to face each other in the 1957 NBA Finals, in which Boston emerged as victors, beginning an eight-year run of consecutive championships for the organization. Russell was the cornerstone for the sports dynasty.
In 1966, Auerbach retired as coach. Russell was named as his successor, becoming the first Black coach in the history of U.S. major league sports. As a player-coach, Russell led the Celtics to two additional titles before retiring as a player in 1969 at the age of 35.
More to come…