NBA To Rename Finals MVP Award After Bill Russell
Iconic player's legacy to be further cemented
Recognition for one of the greatest ever
The NBA has announced that the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award will be renamed the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award, in honor of the legendary Boston Celtics center.
Russell, who passed away in July 2022, is widely considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He led the Celtics to 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons, and was named the Finals MVP five times.
The award will be renamed in Russell's honor starting with the 2023 NBA Finals. The first recipient of the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award will be announced after the conclusion of the series.
"Bill Russell's unparalleled success on the court and his pioneering social activism off the court have had an immeasurable impact on our league and society as a whole," said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. "By renaming the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award in his honor, we are paying tribute to his legacy and ensuring that future generations of players and fans will be reminded of his towering achievements."
Russell's widow, Jeannine, said she was "honored and humbled" by the NBA's decision to rename the award after her husband.
"Bill was a champion on and off the court, and he always stood up for what he believed in," Jeannine Russell said. "I am so grateful that the NBA is honoring his legacy in this way."
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