The sports world offered an outpouring of support and tributes following the news of NBA legend Bill Russell’s death on Sunday. Among those paying tribute to Russell was a fellow Hall of Famer, Hornets owner Michael Jordan.
Jordan issued a statement honoring Russell and lauding the 11-time NBA champion for being a trailblazer for the league’s Black players.
“Bill Russell was a pioneer—as a player, as a champion, as the NBA’s first Black head coach and as an activist,” Jordan wrote. “He paved the way and set an example for every Black player who came into the league after him, including me.