Bill Russell, 11-Time NBA Champion and First Black Head Coach in U.S. Pro Sports, Dies at 88

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faced the losses of some of the industries' most beloved icons.MORE: Al Roker's partner Deborah Roberts shares surprise wedding photo – and it's so cuteAs someone who has been involved in media and entertainment for several decades, Today's Al Roker took some of the deaths to heart, and honored each of them with special tributes.The star took to Instagram to honor the lives of Bill Russell, Nichelle Nichols, and Pat Carroll.WATCH: Al shares sentimental tribute while visiting Washington DCMORE: Meet Al Roker's temporary fill-in on Today - and they're very well known!For Bill, who played for the Boston Celtics from 1956 to 1969 and is considered to have revolutionized professional basketball, Al shared pictures of some of his career wins, including one of him receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama.The weatherman hailed him an undisputed legend, and highlighted his incredible accomplishments beyond basketball as well.He wrote in his caption: "The greatest basketball player of all time, who was also a civil rights leader, author, philanthropist and amazing person died today at the age of 88. His passing leaves an incredible void."A post shared by Al Roker (@alroker)Al's touching tribute to the basketball iconAl then paid tribute to yet another revolutionary star, Nichelle, who passed away aged 89.

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NBA legend, Bill Russell. The 11-time NBA champion as a player, coach with the Boston Celtics and one of the most important figures in NBA history, died at the age of 88, his family announced Sunday, with his wife Jeannine by his side. His family announced the sad news in a statement shared to Twitter, where they reflected on Russell's lasting legacy and his accomplishments both on and off the court.«Bill’s two state championships in high school offered a glimmer of the incomparable run of pure team accomplishment to come: twice an NCAA champion; captain of a gold-medal-winning US Olympic team; 11 times an NBA champion; and at the helm for two NBA championships as the first black head coach of any North American professional sports team,» the statement read.

NBA legend, Bill Russell. The 11-time NBA champion as a player, coach with the Boston Celtics and one of the most important figures in NBA history, died at the age of 88, his family announced Sunday, with his wife Jeannine by his side. His family announced the sad news in a statement shared to Twitter, where they reflected on Russell's lasting legacy and his accomplishments both on and off the court.«Bill’s two state championships in high school offered a glimmer of the incomparable run of pure team accomplishment to come: twice an NCAA champion; captain of a gold-medal-winning US Olympic team; 11 times an NBA champion; and at the helm for two NBA championships as the first black head coach of any North American professional sports team,» the statement read.

NBA icon Bill Russell has died aged 88. The Boston Celtics veteran racked up 11 titles with the team from 1956 and 1969 and won an Olympic gold medal in Melbourne with the United States in 1956. His two NCAA titles at San Francisco in 1955 and ’56 paved the way for him to become a five-time NBA MVP and 12-time All-Star.

Russell’s last two championships with the Celtics in 1968 and 1969 were also achieved with him as a player-coach, replacing his legendary coach Red Auerbach after his retirement at the end of the 1966-67 season and becoming the first Black coach in NBA history. Many of Russell’s victories came at the expense of the Los Angeles Lakers, as Russell defeated legends like Jerry West, Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain in the NBA Finals.

NBA champion as a player and coach with the Boston Celtics and one of the most important figures in NBA history, has died at the age of 88, his family announced Sunday. Russell passed away peacefully with his wife Jeannine by his side. In a statement shared to Russell's official Twitter account, announcing the news, his family reflected on his life and legacy, calling the sports great «the most prolific winner in American sports history.»«It is with a very heavy heart we would like to pass along to all of Bill's friends, fans & followers: Bill Russell, the most prolific winner in American sports history passed away peacefully today at age 88, with his wife, Jeannine, by his side.

Bill Russell has sadly died.

Bill Russell, whom some consider the greatest NBA player of all-time thanks to his 11 NBA titles and five MVP’s, died today at age 88.

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