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BOSTON (AP) — Invoice Russell, the NBA nice who anchored a Boston Celtics dynasty that gained 11 championships in 13 years — the final two as the primary Black head coach in any main U.S. sport — and marched for civil rights with Martin Luther King Jr., died Sunday. He was 88.
His family posted the news on social media, saying Russell died along with his spouse, Jeannine, by his aspect. The assertion didn’t give the reason for demise.
“Invoice’s spouse, Jeannine, and his many family and friends thanks for conserving Invoice in your prayers. Maybe you will relive one or two of the golden moments he gave us, or recall his trademark snigger as he delighted in explaining the actual story behind how these moments unfolded,” the household assertion stated. “And we hope every of us can discover a new strategy to act or converse up with Invoice’s uncompromising, dignified and at all times constructive dedication to precept. That may be one final, and lasting, win for our beloved #6.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated in a press release that Russell was “the best champion in all of crew sports activities.”
“Invoice stood for one thing a lot greater than sports activities: the values of equality, respect and inclusion that he stamped into the DNA of our league. On the top of his athletic profession, Invoice advocated vigorously for civil rights and social justice, a legacy he handed right down to generations of NBA gamers who adopted in his footsteps,” Silver stated. “By means of the taunts, threats and unthinkable adversity, Invoice rose above all of it and remained true to his perception that everybody deserves to be handled with dignity.
A Corridor of Famer, five-time Most Priceless Participant and 12-time All-Star, Russell in 1980 was voted the best participant within the NBA historical past by basketball writers. He stays the game’s most prolific winner and an archetype of selflessness who gained with protection and rebounding whereas leaving the scoring to others. Typically, that meant Wilt Chamberlain, the one participant of the period who was a worthy rival for Russell.
The battles on the courtroom between the facilities have been fierce — signature showdowns within the NBA. Russell led the College of San Francisco to NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956 and gained a gold medal on the 1956 Olympics.
In Boston, Russell left an enduring mark as a Black athlete in a metropolis — and nation — the place race is usually a flash level. In 2011, President Barack Obama awarded Russell the Medal of Freedom. Two years later, a statue of Russell was unveiled on Boston’s Metropolis Corridor Plaza.
“I cherished my friendship with Invoice and was thrilled when he acquired the Presidential Medal of Freedom,” Silver stated in his assertion. “I usually referred to as him basketball’s Babe Ruth for the way he transcended time. Invoice was the last word winner and consummate teammate, and his affect on the NBA might be felt perpetually. We ship our deepest condolences to his spouse, Jeannine, his household and his many buddies.”
His household stated that preparations for Russell’s memorial service might be introduced within the coming days.
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