WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump awarded 91-year-old US basketball legend Bob Cousy, who won six NBA titles with the Boston Celtics, the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House on Thursday.
Trump evoked Cousy´s "very unique talent" in presenting him with the nation´s highest civilian honor.
"Throughout his long career Bob was a voice against racism," Trump said in a speech that traced the 1950s and ´60s sport star´s "incredible life."
A visibly moved Cousy was brought to tears.
"That´s why you shouldn´t invite old men to the White House. They get emotional," he told the president.
He also said that he thought Trump was "the most extraordinary president in my lifetime."
The former athlete, born to French parents who immigrated to the United States, is something of a White House regular.
He told NBA.com that the award marked his seventh invite to the president´s house, the first ti