WATCH: Bill Russell Releases PSA For COVID-19 Vaccine

Boston Celtics legend and Basketball Hall of Fame center Bill Russell is teaming up with NBA Cares to spread awareness of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The 11-time NBA champion appeared in a PSA video getting his Coronavirus shot and encouraging others to do the same.

"I just arrived to get my COVID shot, and this is one shot I won't block," Russell said in the video.

The soon-to-be 87-year-old is among several NBA legends who have taken part in NBA Cares' ongoing initiative, which also includes San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and fellow Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, each of whom also appeared in similar videos.

“No Celtics were harmed during my shot,” Russell said in the video. “Let’s do this together.”

Russell meets the established criteria set by the Centers for Disease Control to receive the vaccination at its current stage of distribution. The CDC's current guidelines recommend health care workers, frontline essential personnel, individuals over the age of 65 and others with "underlying medical conditions" are recommended to have vaccine priority.

NBA Cares is the league's global social responsibility program that aims to address important social issues.

NBA Cares works with internationally recognized youth-serving programs that focus on education, youth and family development, and health-related causes , including Special Olympics, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, UNICEF, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Share Our Strength and GLSEN.

Photo: Getty Images