'We lost a giant': 11-time NBA champion Bill Russell passes away at age 88

The greatest winner of all time has passed away.

Bill Russell, who won 11 NBA championships with the Boston Celtics, died Sunday at the age of 88.

"Bill's wife, Jeannine, and his many friends and family thank you for keeping Bill in your prayers," Russell's family said, in a statement released on Twitter. "Perhaps you'll relive one or two of the golden moments he gave us, or recall his trademark laugh as he delighted in explaining the real story behind how those moments unfolded. And we hope each of us can find a new way to act or speak up with Bill's uncompromising, dignified and always constructive commitment to principle. That would be one last, and lasting, win for our beloved #6."

The Hall of Famer was named to the NBA's 50th and 75th anniversary teams.

"Bill Russell was the greatest champion in all of team sports," said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in a statement released Sunday morning. "The countless accolades that he earned for 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 immense impact on our league and broader society."

An African-American, Russell transcended sports as he overcame racism during his playing days and was a force for change during the civil rights movement.

“Bill stood for something much bigger than sports:  the values of equality, respect and inclusion that he stamped into the DNA of our league," Silver continued. "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.

Russell received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2019 ESPYs, given to those who stood their ground regardless of the circumstances.

“Russell didn’t wait until he was safe to stand up for what was right,” the late, great John Thompson, a teammate of Russell's with the Celtics, said on the video presented at the ESPYs. “Russell did that in the midst of winning 11 championships. He represented things that were right while he had something to lose.”

Phoenix Suns All-Star Devin Booker posted three pictures of Russell with "Rest easy OG" on his Instagram.

"Today, we lost a giant,' former U.S. President Barack Obama tweeted Sunday. "As tall as Bill Russell stood, his legacy rises far higher—both as a player and as a person.

The Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury released a statement on the passing of Russell.

"The Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury join the entire basketball community in mourning the loss of the legendary Bill Russell. The greatest winner in the history of basketball and a trailblazer as the NBA’s first Black head coach, his impact on society extended far beyond the court. He used his platform to fight injustice and advocate for civil rights, creating a legacy that is imprinted on our league and carried on by players today.

"Our entire organization will always be grateful for the time he so graciously gave to us over the years. He was kind and generous, and today our thoughts and condolences are with his family and many friends, including our own Ann Meyers Drysdale.

Meyers Drysdale, who serves as vice president for Suns and Mercury, was a longtime dear friend of Russell.

"Bill was my idol growing up, to meet & work with him in 1986 for the Goodwill Games, was a thrill!," she tweeted Sunday. "That was the start of a 34-yr friendship. We were Inducted into the FIBA HOF together, & I loved listening to his stories. My heart goes out to his wife Jeannine. PEACE my friend."

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 'We lost a giant': 11X NBA champion Bill Russell passes away at age 88