WALTHAM, MA – According to multiple media reports, 11-time NBA champion and the NBA’s first-ever African American head coach, Bill Russell passed away at the age of 88 Sunday afternoon.
Russell, a 6’10 native of West Monroe, LA, was drafted by the St. Louis Hawks second overall–and traded on draft day to Boston—out of San Francisco in 1956 and would go on to help anchor the Celtics dynasty of the 1960’s, winning 11 NBA titles from 1956-1969, five NBA Most Valuable Player awards, and be named to the NBA All-Star 12 times.
During his 13-year career as a player, Russell averaged 15.1 points and 22.5 rebounds. In the playoffs, Russell averaged 16.2 points and 24.9 rebounds a game, and as a coach with the Celtics, Seattle SuperSonics and Sacramento Kings, Russell won two NBA titles, while compiling a 341-290 record.
Over a vast and storied career that included winning a gold medal down in Melbourne, Australia for the U.S in 1956, Russell is best known for his head-to-head matchups with longtime rival, Wilt Chamberlain, foiling the many great title hopes of Elgin Baylor, Jerry West and the Los Angeles Lakers and his controversial love/hate relationship with Boston and their racist fans, Russell stood above it all and emerged as the league’s greatest champion both on and off the court.
Thanks to his influence and indomitable play, the NBA Finals MVP trophy would be named in his honor in 2009, and being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2011.
A legacy of being recognized as one of the league’s greatest players, and advocate for racial and social justice, Russell’s legacy of being one of the best to ever play the game as well as standing for justice will sorely be missed.