Report: Bill Russell collapses while giving speech, team says he is OK

Boston Celtics Hall of Famer Bill Russell reportedly collapsed while giving a speech in Lake Tahoe, but the team says he is "doing OK," confirms WCVB's Scott Isaacs.

Boston Celtics Hall of Famer Bill Russell reportedly collapsed while giving a speech in Lake Tahoe on Thursday, but the team says the 80-year-old is "doing OK," confirms WCVB's Scott Isaacs.

UPDATE: Bill Russell collapsed while giving a speech in Lake Tahoe. #Celtics tell me he is doing OK and will likely fly out tonight #wcvb

— Scott Isaacs (@ScottIsaacs) July 17, 2014

An eyewitness at the scene said Russell was awake when he left in an ambulance:

Prayers for Bill Russell, he just collapsed on stage while speaking to our company. #shocked

— Christopher Martin (@cmartin4534) July 17, 2014

@ESPNBoston he was conscious when he left via ambulance. That is all I know at this time. I'll let you know if I hear anything else.

— Christopher Martin (@cmartin4534) July 17, 2014

Russell won 11 championships with the Celtics during his playing career. The NBA named its Finals Most Valuable Player trophy after him in 2009.

- Paul Palladino