“It is with a very heavy heart that we would like to pass this on to all of Bill’s friends, fans and followers,” the statement said. “Bill Russell, the most prolific winner in the history of American sports, died peacefully today at the age of 88, with his wife Janine by his side. Arrangements for his memorial service will be announced soon.
“Bill’s two high school state championships offered a glimpse of the unparalleled streak of pure team accomplishments to come: two-time NCAA champion; gold medal-winning captain of the U.S. Olympic team; 11-time NBA champion; and presided over two NBA titles as the first black head coach of a North American professional sports team.
“Along the way, Bill won a series of individual awards that are unprecedented in that they were not mentioned by him. In 2009, the NBA Finals MVP Award was renamed after the two-time Hall of Famer to the “Bill Russell NBA Finals.” Most Valuable Player Award.’
“Bill’s wife Jeanine and his many friends and family thank you for keeping Bill in your prayers. Maybe you’ll relive one or two of the golden moments he gave us, or recall his signature laugh as he happily explained the real story behind how those moments unfolded. And we hope that each of us can find a new way to act or speak with Bill’s uncompromising, dignified and always constructive commitment to principles. It will be one last and lasting victory for our beloved #6. “
Russell won 11 championships with the Celtics, including eight straight from 1959 to 1966. He was a five-time NBA MVP and a 12-time All-Star.
As coach of the Celtics, he led Boston to two titles, becoming the first black head coach to win an NBA championship.
The Celtics released a statement praising Russell and his contributions to both the team and the sport as a whole.
“To be the greatest champion in your sport, to revolutionize the way the game is played and to be a public leader all seem unthinkable, but Bill Russell was,” the statement said.
“Bill Russell’s DNA is woven into every element of the Celtics organization, from the relentless pursuit of excellence, to the celebration of team rewards over individual glory, to the commitment to social justice and civil rights off the court. Our thoughts are with his family as we mourn his passing and celebrate his tremendous legacy in basketball, Boston and beyond.”
Fellow NBA legend Michael Jordan – considered the greatest basketball player of all time – said: “Bill Russell was a trailblazer – as a player, as a champion, as the NBA’s first black head coach and as an activist. He paved the way and set an example for every black player that came into the league after him, myself included. The world has lost a legend. My condolences to his family and may he rest in peace.”
Former US President Barack Obama took to social media to praise Russell’s contribution to basketball and society: “Today we lost a giant. As tall as Bill Russell was, his legacy rises much higher – both as a player and as a person. Perhaps. more than anyone, Bill knew what it took to win and what it took to lead. On the court, he was the greatest champion in basketball history. Outside of it, he was a civil rights pioneer – marching with Dr. King and standing with Muhammad Ali.
“For decades, Bill endured insults and vandalism, but that never stopped him from speaking out for what was right. I learned so much from the way he played, the way he coached and the way he lived his life. Michelle and I send our love to Bill’s family and all who admired him.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also shared his condolences.
“Bill Russell was the greatest champion in all of team sports,” Silver said in a statement. “The countless accolades he earned during 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 tremendous impact on our league and greater society.”
“Bill stood for something much bigger than sports: the values of equality, respect and inclusion that he instilled in the DNA of our league. At the height of his athletic career, Bill was a vigorous advocate for civil rights and social justice, a legacy he carried over to generations of NBA players who followed in his footsteps. Through taunts, threats and unimaginable adversity, Bill rose above it all and stayed true to his belief that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity.”
CNN’s Homero de la Fuente contributed to this report.
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