Bill Russell, an 11-time NBA champion as the heart and soul of the Boston Celtics dynasty of the 1950s and ’60s, died on Sunday. Russell, who also became a leading voice for social justice, was 88 years old.
“Bill Russell was the greatest champion in all of team sports,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “The countless accolades that he earned for his storied career with the Boston Celtics — including a record 11 championships and five MVP awards — only begin to tell the story of Bill’s immense impact on our league and broader society.”
The statement from Silver continues:
