BOSTON – City Hall Plaza in Boston was chosen as the site for a proposed statue of Celtics legend Bill Russell, Mayor Tom Menino and other officials announced Monday.

Three artists were named as finalists to design the statue. They will present their designs to Russell and the Bill Russell Legacy Committee in the fall.

“We are proud to play a role in paying tribute to one of the greatest champions the sports world has ever seen,” said Stephen Pagliuca, the Celtics’ co-owner and head of the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation.

The committee said the site was chosen because of its location near the Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall and other attractions. Officials said Russell, 77, and the committee approved the site for the statute to commemorate the former Celtic as a sports champion, human rights leader and youth mentoring advocate.

The committee said it will seek private donations for the statue and will launch a public fund raising campaign in the fall to coincide with the selection of the winning design.

Russell led the Celtics to 11 league championships in 13 seasons.

President Obama suggested Boston build a statue of Russell when he awarded him a Presidential Medal of Freedom in February. Obama said he hoped one day children would look up to a statue “built not only to Bill Russell the player but Bill Russell the man.”