Bill Russell, NBA's first Black superstar and civil rights activist, dies at 88

Boston Celtics' legend Bill Russell during the NBA All-Star basketball game in Los Angeles, February 20, 2011. Russell, who won a record 11 NBA crowns with the Boston Celtics and overcame racism to become the league's first Black superstar and civil rights activist, has died at the age of 88. – Photo: Reuters

Bill Russell, a dominating centre who won a record 11 NBA crowns as cornerstone of a Boston Celtics dynasty, overcame racism to become the league's first Black superstar and civil rights activist.

Russell, who died Sunday at age 88, was a five-time NBA Most Valuable Player and captain of the 1956 US gold medal team at the Melbourne Olympics who revolutionized defensive play in the NBA, taking rebounding and shot blocking to epic new levels.