Monthly bill Russell, 1 of the greatest basketball players of all time who led the demand on and off the courtroom, has died, his relatives introduced Sunday. He was 88.

Russell’s family stated in a statement that he passed away "peacefully" with his wife by his aspect. It was unclear how Russell died. 

"It is with a incredibly major heart we would like to pass together to all of Bill’s close friends, enthusiasts & followers," the statement commenced.

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Previous Boston Celtics players Bill Russell, remaining, and Tom Heinsohn observe the match concerning the Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks in Sport 6 of the Eastern Convention quarterfinals, April 28, 2016, at TD Backyard in Boston, Massachusetts. (Brian Babineau/NBAE by using Getty Pictures)

"Invoice Russell, the most prolific winner in American sports history, passed absent peacefully now at age 88, with his wife, Jeannie, by his side. Preparations for his memorial assistance will be announced quickly.

"Bill’s two condition championships in superior faculty presented a glimmer of the incomparable operate of pure staff accomplishment to arrive: 2 times an NCAA champion captain of a gold-medal successful US Olympic crew 11 situations an NBA champion and at the helm for two NBA championships as the initial Black head coach of any North American specialist sports group.

"Together the way, Bill earned a string of particular person awards that stands unprecedented as it went unmentioned by him. In 2009, the award for the NBA Finals most beneficial player was renamed following two-time Hall of Famer as the "Monthly bill Russell NBA Finals Most Worthwhile Player Award."

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A member of the Boston Celtics 1966 championship team, Bill Russell is honored at halftime of the video game in between the Celtics and the Miami Heat at TD Backyard, April 13, 2016, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Mike Lawrie/Getty Pictures)

His family members mentioned that whilst his wins on the court have been a single issue, his achievements and his fight in the civil rights motion ought to also be remembered.

"But for all the profitable, Bill’s comprehending of the struggle is what illuminated his existence," the assertion read through. "From boycotting a 1961 exhibition video game to unmask as well-very long-tolerated discrimination, to major Mississippi’s initial integrated basketball camp in the flamable wake of Medgar [Evers'] assassination, to decades of activism regarded by his receipt of the Presidential Medal of Liberty in 2010, Invoice known as out injustice with an unforgiving candor that he intended would disrupt the status quo, and with a highly effective example that, even though hardly ever his humble intention, will eternally inspire teamwork, selflessness and considerate adjust.

Invoice Russell of the Boston Celtics poses for a picture circa 1962 at the Boston Backyard garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Dick Raphael/NBAE through Getty Photos)

"Bill’s wife, Jeannie, and his lots of mates and loved ones thank you for preserving Monthly bill in your prayers. Possibly you are going to [relive] 1 or two golden times he gave us, or recall his trademark snicker as he delighted in outlining the serious tale driving how those times unfolded. And we hope every single of us can uncover a new way to act or communicate up with Bill’s uncompromising, dignified, and often constructive determination to basic principle. That would be a person past, and lasting, earn for our beloved #6."

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released a assertion after phrase of Russell’s loss of life arrived out.

"Monthly bill Russell was the biggest winner in all of team sporting activities. The a great number of accolades that he acquired for his storied job with the Boston Celtics – which includes a report 11 championships and five MVP awards – only get started to tell the story of Bill’s immense impact on our league and broader modern society," Silver assist.

"Monthly bill stood for anything a lot even larger than sports activities: the values of equality, respect and inclusion he stamped into the DNA of our league. At the peak of his athletic career, Monthly bill advocated vigorously for civil legal rights and social justice, a legacy he passed down to generations of NBA gamers who followed in his footsteps. By the taunts, threats and unthinkable adversity, Monthly bill rose above it all and remained true to his belief that absolutely everyone deserved to be taken care of with dignity."

Silver extra that Russell "was the ultimate winner and consummate teammate, and his impact [on] the NBA will be felt forever."

Boston Celtics Bill Russell (6) rebounds vs. the St. Louis Hawks at Boston Backyard in Boston, Massachusetts. (Richard Meek /Sports activities Illustrated via Getty Photographs)

Russell was the No. 2 general decide of the St. Louis Hawks in the 1956 draft. He was picked powering Si Eco-friendly, who was chosen by the Rochester Royals, and in entrance of Jim Paxson Sr., who was chosen by the Minneapolis Lakers. Russell would go on to rating more details than both equally gamers put together.

At San Francisco, Russell assisted the Dons win two consecutive NCAA titles in 1955 and 1956. He also led Crew United states of america to a gold medal at the 1956 Olympics.

Russell was traded to the Hawks on draft day for Cliff Hagan and Ed Macauley. He would keep on his dominance in the execs, primary Boston to 11 championships, such as a run of 8 straight. He led the NBA in rebounds five instances is only one particular of two gamers to record at least 50 rebounds in a match.

Russell broke the coaching color barrier when he became the very first Black NBA head mentor in historical past in 1966. He coached Boston to two NBA championships. He would later on coach the Seattle SuperSonics and Sacramento Kings.

Off the court, Russell was a considerable chief in the fight for equality as he battled racist abuse, and was community about what he noticed and heard although he played.

He and other Black teammates boycotted an exhibition activity in Kentucky in 1961 following they have been refused support at a restaurant. Russell also supported Muhammad Ali’s refusal to be drafted in the course of the Vietnam War.

Russell was inducted into the Basketball Corridor of Fame twice — at the time as a player and a different time as a coach. His No. 6 is retired by the Celtics, and he is the namesake for the NBA Finals MVP award.

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Throughout his illustrious profession, Russell was a 12-time All-star, 11-time NBA champion, 5-time MVP and an 11-time All-NBA range.