Washington (CNN) President Donald Trump awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former Boston Celtics point guard and basketball coach Bob Cousy Thursday afternoon at the White House.

"You're one of the all-time greats in the history of sports, not just basketball, and an inspiration to us all and today America honors and celebrates everything that you have achieved. You have achieved so much and even beyond basketball," Trump said during a ceremony inside the Oval Office.

Cousy earned his nickname -- "Mr. Basketball" -- in the 1950s and 1960s playing for the Celtics. While still a player, the 13-time All-Star player spoke out about racial quotas. He also helped form the NBA Players Association union and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1971.

"Bob was right at the forefront of combating racism within the league," Trump said, adding, "Throughout his long career, Bob was a voice against prejudice, racism and bigotry."

Accepting the medal, Cousy called himself the "luckiest SOB on the planet."

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