NBA star and Celtics icon passes away at age 38
13 Sports Director Brian Smith discussed his thoughts around Russell’s loss with another Hall of Famer and former NSU great Bob Dandridge.
Boston: Not only did Bill Russell transform basketball, but he also changed how people in a country divided by race saw sports.
Russell, the most successful NBA player of all time, marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and supported Muhammad Ali.
and received President Barack Obama’s Presidential Medal of Freedom. Russell, the principal pillar of the
Winning his final two NBA titles as a player-coach, he became the first Black coach in a major American sport and led the Boston Celtics to an 11-champion dynasty in 13 years.
Russell, 88, departed from this life on Sunday. The social media posts claimed that his wife, Jeannine, was by his side.
produced by his relatives. Although Russell had a lengthy illness, the statement did not provide the cause of death.
illness and wasn’t well enough to accept the MVP award for the NBA Finals in June.
“We appreciate your continued prayers for Bill on behalf of his spouse, Jeannine, as well as his large family and numerous
pals. “Maybe you’ll remember his trademark laugh as he delighted in explaining the,” the family statement said.
actual account of how those events transpired, or perhaps you’ll relive one or two of the golden moments he gave
And we truly hope that each and every one of us can benefit from Bill’s steadfast, firm support.
Basketball writers voted Russell, a 12-time All-Star, five-time MVP, and Hall of Famer, the best player of all time.
player in 1980 NBA history. He remains the most decorated athlete in the sport’s history; aside from his
He is an example of selflessness who won two collegiate titles and an Olympic gold medal by snatching
grabbing rebounds and defending the floor as others scored spectacularly.
For Russell, that often meant Wilt Chamberlain, his chief rival and the only worthy opponent of his era.
in terms of rebounds, MVP honours, and intense arguments about who was better in the locker room. With twice as much
countless points and four MVP honours in his own, Chamberlain, who passed away in 1999 at the age of sixty-three, is
the only player in NBA history to have pulled down more rebounds than Russell (23,924 to 21,620).
