NBA and Civil Rights icon Bill Russell Dies aged 88: ‘No. 6 Our Lovers’

Bill Russell, who won 11 NBA championship rings during his career, died Sunday with his wife Jeanine by his side.

Bill Russell, the towering NBA legend in his league, has died. He is 88 years old.

Russell has “died peacefully” with his wife Jeanine by his side, according to a statement posted on his official Twitter account on Sunday.

The statement added that “arrangements for his memorial service will be announced soon. And “Bill’s wife Jeanine and many friends and family, thank you for keeping Bill in your prayers.”

“You can relive one or two golden moments he gave us or remember his signature laugh as he happily explains the true story behind those moments,” the statement concluded. “And we hope that with Bill’s uncompromising, dignified, and always a constructive commitment to principles, we can find new ways to act or speak.”

This will be the final and lasting victory for our beloved number 6.

The cause of death was not disclosed. Russell officials did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. Born William Felton Russell in 1934 in West Monroe, Louisiana. He joined the basketball team at McClymonds High School in Oakland after moving to Northern California with his family, according to Russell’s biography on the NBA website.

His performances there earned him a scholarship to attend the University of San Francisco. Where the 6-foot-9 Russell helped the team to 56 straight wins and two NCAA titles in 1955 and 1956. Second pick NBA Drafted in 1956 but sold to the Boston Celtics. On the same day. This partnership will prove fruitful with head coach Red Auerbach; the Celtics won 11 championships during Russell’s tenure.

Eight titles came in succession from 1959 to 1966, a feat not repeated in the NBA or any other major American sports league.