PHILADELPHIA — Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell, who won 11 championships and helped usher basketball into the modern era, died Sunday at age 88.
He leaves behind an enormous legacy, including his mantle as the greatest champion in basketball history. While conversations about the best NBA player of all time are often contentious, there is no debate who was the game’s winningest.
At the time of his passing, the Hall of Famer’s accomplishments still remained unchallenged some 53 years after his retirement in 1969. Those accolades, which became too many to count during his 13 seasons, also were buoyed over the years by his accomplishments off the court as a civil rights activist, coach, broadcaster, and ambassador of the game.
