Bill Russell became the NBA's first Black coach in 1966, serving as player/coach for three seasons with the Celtics, winning two NBA titles.Dan Goshtigian/Globe Staff/file
Bill Russell, who led the Celtics to 11 NBA titles in 13 years, died Sunday at age 88.
He was a five-time Most Valuable Player and 12-time All-Star and the Celtics’ player-coach for his final three seasons.
Here’s a look back at the Hall of Famer’s career.
Bill Russell with Celtics coach Red Auerbach in his rookie year in 1956. Russell joined the team after leading the United States to Olympic gold in Australia.AP/Associated Press
Bill Russell his and son Bill Jr., 5 months old, look on as wife Rose treats Russell's right ankle in 1958. The injury suffered in the third game of the NBA finals against St. Louis resulted in a badly sprained ankle. Russell would return to play, but the Celtics dropped the series in six games.Herbert Capwell/Globe Staff
From left: Tommy Heinsohn, K.C. Jones, Russell, and Sam Jones in 1965.Paul J. Maguire/Globe Staff/The Boston Globe
Russell grabs a rebound during the 1965 NBA Finals.Dan Goshtigian/Globe Staff/The Boston Globe
Russell celebrates with Red Auerbach after the Celtics won their eighth consecutive title in 1966. Associated Press
Russell on the Celtics bench in 1968. After Red Auerbach retired following the 1966 season, Russell was named player coach and led the Celtics to consecutive titles in 1968 and 1969 before retiring from both positions.Dan Goshtigian/Globe Staff/file
Russell battles his longtime on-court rival Wilt Chamberlain for a rebound in this undated photo.Globe Photo by Dick Raphael
Russell was mobbed by fans after the Celtics returned home from Los Angeles after winning another NBA title in 1969.BRETT, Bill GLOBE STAFF
Russell went on to coach the Seattle Supersonics. He shared a laugh with former teammate Tommy Heinsohn, who was coaching the Celtics when the teams met in 1974.Associated Press/The Boston Globe
Larry BIrd and Russell share a laugh at the closing of Boston Garden in 1995.TURNER, Lane GLOBE STAFF/Globe Staff
Russell sits next to Paul Pierce at a Celtics practice in 2000.CHIN, Barry Globe Staff
Russell acknowledges the TD Garden crowd after receiving a standing ovation at a Celtics game in 2012.CHIN, BARRY/GLOBE STAFF PHOTO
Bill Russell attended the unveiling of a statue in his honor at Boston City Hall Plaza in 2013.David L. Ryan
Along with Bobby Orr and David Ortiz, Russell threw out the first pitch for the Red Sox homer opener in 2016.Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff
