Pumanaw na si Former Boston Celtics star Bill Russell sa edad na 88.
Agad naman naglabas ng pahayag ang National Basketball Association sa pagpanaw ng isa sa mga ‘world’s greatest winners’ matapos igiya ang Celtics sa 11 NBA championships at kauna-unahang black coach ng liga.
“Bill stood for something much bigger than sports: the values of equality, respect and inclusion that he stamped into the DNA of our league,” bahagi ng statement ni NBA Commissioner Adam Silver
“At the height of his athletic career, Bill advocated vigorously for civil rights and social justice, a legacy he passed down to generations of NBA players who followed in his footsteps.”
“Through the taunts, threats and unthinkable adversity, Bill rose above it all and remained true to his belief that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity.”
Si Russell ay naging isang superstar noong 1950s at ’60s hindi sa mga marangyang scoring plays kundi dahil sa pagdomina nito sa rebounding at matinding defensive play na muling humubog sa laro.
Nanalo ang Celtics ng 11 NBA titles sa 13 taon ni Russell kasama ang koponan mula 1956 hanggang 1969. Siya ang player-coach sa dalawa sa mga championship team na iyon.