Bill Russell to Be Given Lifetime Achievement Award at 2017 NBA Awards Show
Legendary Boston Celtics center Bill Russell is set to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the NBA on June 26 during the league's inaugural Awards Show on TNT.
Bleacher Report's Howard Beck passed along the news Thursday.
Russell put together one of the most impressive resumes in NBA history. The stalwart of the Celtics' dynasty in the late 1950s and 1960s owns 11 championships, the most by any player, and five Most Valuable Player awards.
The 83-year-old Louisiana native earned 12 All-Star Game selections and got named to the All-NBA First or Second Team 11 times across a 13-year career, among numerous other honors.
His time with the Celtics included a three-year period where he served as the franchise's player-coach, a run that included two titles.
Other accolades from his illustrious basketball career include two NCAA championships with the University of San Francisco, an Olympic gold medal with the United States in 1956 and induction into the Basketball, College Basketball and FIBA Halls of Fame.
In 2011, Russell received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama for his efforts as part of the Civil Rights Movement. George Vecsey of the New York Times noted the former Celtics superstar called it the second-greatest personal honor of his lifetime.
"When he was about 77, my father and I were talking," Russell said. "And he said: 'You know, you're all grown up now, and I want to tell you something. You know, I am very proud of the way you turned out as my son, and I'm proud of you as a father.' My father is my hero, OK, and I cannot perceive of anything topping that."
Honoring him during the first-ever NBA Awards Show isn't going to top that moment either, but it's a fitting tribute to a player who made such a massive impact on and off the court.
