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Celtics Great Bill Russell Set To Get A Statue In Boston

BOSTON (CBS) - Bill Russell, the greatest champion of all-time, will finally get a statue of his own in Boston.

The Boston Celtics announced Wednesday The Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation in partnership with the newly formed Bill Russell Legacy Committee will erect a statue of Bill Russell in the city of Boston designed by a local artist.

The location of the statue has yet to be determined.

Russell won 11 titles with the Celtics from 1956-1969, including nine straight. He won five MVP's, although always had a "team-first" mentality.

Russell was also an active leader for equal rights in the 60's and 70's. He often felt discriminated against during his playing days, leading to a difficult relationship with the city of Boston.

Read: Bill Russell Receives Medal Of Freedom

Russel has since reconciled with the city and is more active when it comes to events in his honor.

"I am uncomfortable with honors such as this but my years as Captain of the Boston Celtics were the proudest moments of my career," Boston Celtics Legend Bill Russell said. "Mayor Menino's Boston has proven to be a City that embraces the diverse contributions of all its people and neighborhoods. I am thankful to the Celtics and all the contributors for the effort to create such a wonderful Mentoring program."

The Bill Russell Legacy Project will also develop a Mentoring Grant program in Russell's name to ensure his passion is carried on by expanding the resources for mentoring programs in the city of Boston.

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The Bill Russell Mentoring Grant Program will invest in Boston's youth by awarding grants annually to local, non-profit, organizations to help increase the number of children in Boston who have access to quality, structured, caring adult mentoring programs.

The Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation has established the Bill Russell Legacy Fund to act as the major funding vehicle for the project.

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