NBA and Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell dies aged 88

Former Boston Celtics star Bill Russell, part of a legendary team that won 11 NBA championships, as well as the league's first black coach, has died at the age of 88

LEGEND: Bill Russell attends 2019 NBA Awards at Barker Hangar on June 24, 2019 in Santa Monica, California. Pic: Leon Bennett/WireImage

Former Boston Celtics star Bill Russell, one of the sports world's greatest winners as the anchor of a team that won 11 NBA championships, as well as the league's first black coach, died on Sunday at the age of 88.

Russell, who was also outspoken on racial issues, passed away peacefully with his wife Jeannine by his side, according to a statement posted on his Twitter account that did not state a cause of death.