Bob Cousy is already a six-time NBA champion, a 13-time All-Star, an NBA MVP, and a Basketball Hall of Famer.
On Thursday afternoon, he'll add to that impressive list of accolades when President Trump presents him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.
The Medal of Freedom celebrates individuals for their "especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the U.S., to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.''
Cousy, 91, was supremely talented on the court, but this award recognizes his stance on racial equality and social justice, especially in the 1950s and '60s. In a recent interview with NBC Sports Boston's A. Sherrod Blakely, he detailed his friendship with Chuck Cooper, and how he refused to stay at the team hotel in North Carolina when it would not let Cooper stay there due to segregation.
Cousy will join Bill Russell as the only Celtics to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom — and he'll be just the fourth NBA player to be so honored, joining Russell, Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Here's how to watch:
When: Thursday, Aug. 22, 4:30 p.m., ET
TV Channel: C-SPAN
Live Stream: C-SPAN
Boston Celtics
Find the latest Boston Celtics news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Boston.
Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Celtics easily on your device.