BREAKING: One of the greatest NBA players ever has sadly passed away...
One of the greatest to ever grace a basketball court has passed.
Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell passed away at the age of 88, his family announced Sunday morning.
During Russell's absolutely dominant 13 seasons in Boston, he won 11 championships, still the most ever won by a single NBA player over the course of a career. He won 5 MVP awards and averaged 22.5 rebounds per game.
"It is with a heavy heart that we would like to convey to all of Bill's friends, fans and supporters: Bill Russell, the most prolific winner in American sports history, passed away peacefully today at the age of 88, with his wife, Jeannine, by his side," a statement posted on the athlete's Twitter wrote.
«From boycotting a 1961 exhibition game to unmask too-long tolerated discrimination, to leading Mississippi's first integrated basketball camp in the combustible wake of Medgar Evans' assassination, to decades of activism ultimately recognized by his receipt of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010, Bill called out injustice with an unforgiving candor that he intended would disrupt the status quo, and with a powerful example that, though never his humble intention, will forever inspire teamwork, selflessness and thoughtful change,» his family said in a statement. «Bill's wife, Jeannine, and his many friends and family thank you for keeping Bill in your prayers. Perhaps you'll relive one or two of the golden moments he gave us, or recall his trademark laugh as he delighted in explaining the real story behind how those moments unfolded. And 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. That would be one last, and lasting, win for our beloved #6.»
NBA commissioner Adam Silver called Russell "the greatest champion in all of team sports" in a statement Sunday.
"I cherished my friendship with Bill and was thrilled when he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. I often called him basketball's Babe Ruth for how he transcended time. Bill was the ultimate winner and consummate teammate, and his influence on the NBA will be felt forever," Silver said.
A five-time MVP and 12-time All-Star, Russell was an uncanny shot blocker who revolutionized NBA defensive concepts. He finished with 21,620 career rebounds -- an average of 22.5 per game -- and led the league in rebounding four times. He had 51 rebounds in one game and 49 in two others and posted 12 straight seasons with 1,000 or more rebounds. Russell also averaged 15.1 points and 4.3 assists per game over his career.
