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Bill Russell Russell later called it the best team of his era and the best defense of all time. Bill Russell, one of the greatest Boston Celtics and NBA players ever, died, his family said Sunday. [141] Russell and Bryant were spectators to a basketball game for Obama's 50th birthday at the White House tennis court. He last led the Sacramento Kings as president of basketball operations in the late 1980s. [21], Under head coach Gerald Tucker, Russell helped the U.S. national basketball team win the gold medal in Melbourne, defeating the Soviet Union national basketball team 8955 in the final game with an 80 undefeated run. [61] He alienated Celtics fans by saying: "You owe the public the same it owes you, nothing! Russell was so quick that he could run over for a quick double team and make it back in time if the opponents tried to find the open man. In the fall of 1952, he tried out as a walk-on at the University of San Francisco and earned a scholarship. [113] His No. [58] Gottlieb protested the next day, saying that Russell played a one-man zone and goaltended numerous times, to only be called once. [149][150], In his first NBA full season (195758), Russell became the first player in NBA history to average more than 20 rebounds per game for an entire season, a feat he accomplished ten times in his thirteen seasons. He went to McClymonds High School, where he started playing basketball. Bill Russell, an NBA Hall of Famer, was being treated for what appear to be cardiac problems in a hospital in Washington state with him passing away due to the illness and age related ailments. [21] In delivering a eulogy for Chamberlain, Russell stated that he did not consider them to be rivals, but rather to have a competition, and that the pair would "be friends through eternity". Bill Russell [108] Russell then reversed himself and ordered his team to double-team West and Boston won Game 3. They had three children: daughter Karen Russell, a television pundit and lawyer, and sons William Jr. and Jacob. I was first team All American. [91][92] It was their sixth consecutive and seventh title in Russell's eight years with the team, a streak unreached in any U.S. professional sports league. Hall of Fame basketball center Bill Russell led the University of San Francisco to consecutive NCAA titles before starting his pro career with the Boston Celtics in 1956. Russell articulated these views with a measure of self-criticism, saying: "I consider this a deficiency in myselfmaybe. I averaged over 20 points and over 20 rebounds, and I was the only guy in college blocking shots. [213] He was often called Felton X, presumably in the tradition of the Nation of Islam's practice of replacing a European slave name with an X and purchased land in Liberia. He was a 5 Following Chamberlain's death in October 1999, Russell returned to prominence at the turn of the millennium. Although the salary was touted in the press as a record for an NBA coach, it is unclear whether Russell's continued $100,001 salary as a player was included in the calculation. "[218] Referring to a time when the Celtics did not frequently sell out the Boston Garden, while the generally mediocre and all-white NHL Boston Bruins did, Russell recalled: "We [the Celtics] did a survey about what we could do to improve attendance. [102] Russell acknowledged the first real loss of his career, as he had been injured when the Celtics lost the 1958 NBA Finals, by visiting Chamberlain in the locker room, shaking his hand, and saying: "Great. Bill Russell has been married on 4 different occasions but had never kept a marriage for up to 2 decades, the longest being 17 years (19561973) to a lady called [182] In 1996, Russell married his third wife, Marilyn Nault;[183] their marriage lasted until her death in January 2009. He was 88 years old. [50] On offense, Russell's output was limited and his NBA career personal averages show him to be an average scorer (15.1 points career average), a poor free-throw shooter (56.1%), and average overall shooter from the field (44%, not exceptional for a center). [95] In Game 5, Russell contributed with 12 points, 28 rebounds, and 7 assists, plus 10 blocks and 6 steals; blocks and steals became officially recorded statistics in the 197374 NBA season. [107], Russell and the Celtics achieved upsets over the 76ers and the Knicks to earn a meeting with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1969 NBA Finals. The Celtics managed a 108-89 victory and swept the Nationals in three games. In the wake of her passing he committed himself to his studies. West Coast Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year, San Francisco Dons men's basketball 195455 NCAA champions, San Francisco Dons men's basketball 195556 NCAA champions, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award, List of National Basketball Association annual minutes leaders, List of National Basketball Association annual rebounding leaders, List of National Basketball Association career minutes played leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff rebounding leaders, List of National Basketball Association career rebounding leaders, List of National Basketball Association longest winning streaks, List of National Basketball Association single-game rebounding leaders, List of National Basketball Association rookie single-season rebounding leaders, List of National Basketball Association single-season rebounding leaders, List of NBA players with most championships, List of NCAA Division I men's basketball career rebounding leaders, "Bill Russell, Henri Richard Famous Elevens Gallery", "195356 NCAA Championship Seasons: The Bill Russell Years", "Bill Russell's Trailblazing Legacy Is Secure (Even If Stats Can't Measure It)", "Bill Russell Is A Champion By Defintion [sic]", "Where does Bill Russell rank among best centers in NBA history? His time as a non-player coach was lackluster; he led the struggling SuperSonics into the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, but Russell's defensive, team-oriented Celtics mindset did not mesh well with the team, and he left in 1977 with a 162166 record. [137] He was named as a 2010 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Even as he won on the court, Russell, an outspoken backer of The Celtics won 52 gamesa league record. [5], For his achievements, Russell was named "Sportsman of the Year" by Sports Illustrated in 1968. Chamberlain outscored Russell by 81 points in the series, but the Celtics walked off with a 42 series win. Russell was grief-stricken by the death of his mother, whod been his biggest advocate and pushed him to work hard in school. After much debate, Auerbach agreed to give up Hagan and the Hawks made the trade. I could always be myself with them and they were always there for me. Russell's 6'9" frame also earned plenty of attention. [125] In 1985, former Celtic teammate Don Chaney, who was head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, asked Russell to tutor Benoit Benjamin, the third overall draft pick from Creighton University, who left after his junior season; according to Chaney, Russell did not get paid for it. National tragedy struck on April 4, day of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. With eight of the ten starting players on Sixers and Celtics being black, both teams were in deep shock and there were calls to cancel the series. [29] When DeJulio offered Russell a scholarship, he eagerly accepted. [110][221], Russell refused to attend the ceremony when his jersey No. Bill Russell started playing for the Celtics in the 1956-57 season in December. He was named the NBA Most Valuable Player for that season. [1] The Celtics broke a league record by winning 52 games and Russell's strong performance once again helped lead the Celtics through the 1959 NBA playoffs, as they returned to the NBA Finals. "[27] In an autobiographical account, Russell said that while on a California High School All-Stars tour, he became obsessed with studying and memorizing other players' moves, e.g., footwork such as which foot they moved first on which play, as preparation for defending against them, which included practicing in front of a mirror at night. [14][192] The news was announced in a Twitter post by his family. 1 choice has to be Bill Russell. [110] He was so tense before every game that he regularly vomited in the locker room; early in his career, it happened so frequently that his fellow Celtics were more worried when it did not happen than when it did. Russell also ignored Heinsohn's request for an autograph on behalf of his cousin and openly said to Heinsohn that he deserved half of his $300 Rookie of the Year check. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [105] After losing for the fifth straight time against Russell and the Celtics, Hall-of-Fame Lakers guard Jerry West stated: "If I had a choice of any basketball player in the league, my No. [20] Since Russell's previous experiences with white authority figures were often negative, warm words from Powles reassured him. [105] He is one of four players (along with Cousy, George Mikan, and Bob Pettit) to have made all four NBA anniversary teams: the NBA 25th Anniversary Team (1970), the NBA 35th Anniversary Team (1980), the NBA 50th Anniversary Team (1996),[5] and the NBA 75th Anniversary Team (2021). [1] The 195657 Boston Celtics season saw the debut of a starting lineup made up of five future Hall-of-Famers: center Russell, forwards Heinsohn and Frank Ramsey, and guards Bill Sharman and Bob Cousy. [184] Russell was married to Jeannine Russell at the time of his death. He was selected into the NBA 25th Anniversary Team in 1971 and the NBA 35th Anniversary Team in 1980, named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996,[5] one of only four players to receive all three honors, and selected into the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. [173] The art is by Ann Hirsch of Somerville, Massachusetts, in collaboration with Pressley Associates Landscape Architects of Boston. I like most blacks because I am black." [50] Bill Simmons has estimated that Russell had between 8 and 15 blocks per game in the playoffs. [222] On November 15, 2019, Russell accepted the Hall of Fame ring in a private ceremony with family. So after the season was over, they had a Northern California banquet, and they picked another center as Player of the Year in Northern California. The Lakers featured new recruit Chamberlain next to perennial stars Baylor and West, and were the favorites. [12] Russell averaged 16.6 points per game and a league-record average of 22.7 rebounds per game. Bill Russell, one of the most important and accomplished athletes in history, died on Sunday at the age of 88 with his wife Jeannine by his side, his family announced. [5][97], In the 196566 NBA season, Russell contributed 12.9 points and 22.8 rebounds per game. His father was Charles Russell and Katie Russell in West Monroe, Louisiana. [57] Russell had a more cordial relationship with many of his teammates with the notable exception of Heinsohn, his old rival and fellow rookie. Asked by Russell what was wrong, his grandfather replied how proud he was of him, being coach of an organization in which blacks and whites coexisted in harmony. He later said: "The most successful television is done in eight-second thoughts, and the things I know about basketball, motivation, and people go deeper than that. [65], The Celtics won 49 games and made the first berth in the 1958 NBA playoffs, where they met in the 1958 NBA Finals with their familiar rivals, the St. Louis Hawks. Bill Russell 6 in ESPN's NBA 75th Anniversary Team list,[164] and No. DeJulio was unimpressed by Russell's meager scoring and "atrocious fundamentals",[29] but he sensed that the young Russell had an extraordinary instinct for the game, especially in the clutch. (2004). He was very happy to receive this scholarship as it provided him an opportunity to escape the life of poverty and racism. Bill Russell: Early Life and Education. He was married four times and had three children. [5] The Russell draft-day trade was later called one of the most important trades in the history of North American sports. Bill Russell was born on 12 February 1934. UCLA Bruins coach John Wooden called Russell "the greatest defensive man I've ever seen". "[50], Duiring the 196869 NBA season, Russell was shocked by the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, disillusioned by the Vietnam War, and weary from his increasingly stale marriage to his wife Rose; the couple later divorced. Bill Russell was a once-in-a-generation activist athlete who made all around him better. This was the first time in seven years that he failed to average at least 23 rebounds a game. [69] Both men awed onlookers with "nakedly awesome athleticism",[69] and while Chamberlain outscored Russell 30 to 22, the Celtics won 115106, and the match was called a "new beginning of basketball". [181] In 1977, he married Dorothy Anstett, Miss USA of 1968;[181] they divorced in 1980. [175][176][177] During the spring of 2015, two statues of children were added, honoring Russell's commitment to working with children. Rather than play for somebody else, Russell took over as a player-coach, steering the team to titles in 1968 and 1969. [25] Sports journalist John Taylor described it as a watershed event in Russell's life because he realized that basketball was his chance to escape poverty and racism, and he swore to make the best of it. During his three-year varsity career, in which he led the team to consecutive NCAA titles in 1955 and 1956, he averaged 20.7 points and 20.3 rebounds per game. It would be to our advantage if we paid him off for five years to get away from us in the rest of this series. [50], Russell was considered the consummate defensive center, noted for his defensive intensity, basketball IQ, and will to win. [70] It was the record for most rebounds in a single game until November 24, 1960, when Chamberlain grabbed 55 rebounds against Russell,[13] who led the Celtics to a 132129 win over the Philadelphia Warriors with 18 points, 19 rebounds, and 5 assists. He was a standout in the high jump and according to Track & Field News was ranked the seventh-best high-jumper in the world in 1956, his graduation year, despite not competing in Olympic high-jump competition. [108] West then hit one basket after the other and cut the lead to one, and Chamberlain asked to return to the game. [155] He was selected three times to the All-NBA First Teams (1959, 1963, 1965) and eight Second Teams (1958, 196062, 1964, 196668), and was a 12-time NBA All-Star (19581969). [85] President John F. Kennedy posed for a picture with Auerbach and the nine Celtics but not Russell, who overslept because he thought it was just a tour of the White House and did not know President Kennedy would be meeting them. "[50], The Celtics swept the Nationals in three games to earn the franchise's first NBA Finals appearance in the 1957 NBA Finals,[63] where they met the St. Louis Hawks, led by Pettit and former Celtic Ed Macauley. He was 88 years old. I'm certainly going to ask Maurice Podoloff." With Russell anchoring the middle of the floor, the Celtics finished with the NBA's best record in 1957, and went on to win the title over the Hawks in a tense seven-game series. Gottlieb stated: "Our Paul Arizin went underneath for a simple backboard lay-up, and as the ball traveled down towards the basket, Russell batted it away. During a conversation with students, a reporterunknown to Russellheard Russell describe Chamberlain as a malingerer and accused him of "copping out" of the game when it seemed that the Lakers would lose. In the pivotal Game 7, Russell managed to hold Chamberlain to 22 points, 28 points below his season average, while scoring 19 points. He told her to go home and remove the dress, which he described as "white woman's clothing". Charles Russell was initially a janitor in a paper factory, and when World War II broke out, he became a truck driver. [19], During World War II, the Second Great Migration began, as large numbers of Black people were moving to the West to look for work there. It wasnt long before the defensively adept Russell proved to be dominating presence, with a scorers touch and uncanny ability to rebound. Bill Russell Family When Russell was eight years old, his family moved to Oakland, California. Over the course of his 13-year NBA career, Russell steered the club to 11 titles. But by his senior year, his game had picked up enough to earn him a starting spot. His talent did not immediately shine through. So we never, or at least I never, ever considered him as having ulterior motives for whatever he did. [44] Like fellow world-class high-jumpers of that era, Russell did not use the Fosbury Flop technique with which all high jump world records after 1978 have been set. The fans could do or think whatever they wanted. He was just the second player to have ever made 51 rebounds in a single game and the first NBA player to average more than 20 rebounds per game for an entire season. [5] Russell's team again beat Chamberlain's Philadelphia 76ers 41 in the Eastern Division Finals, proceeding to win the NBA Finals in a tight showdown against the Los Angeles Lakers, with Russell scoring 25 points and grabbing 32 rebounds, plus giving out an assist,[98] in a 9593 win in Game 7. [78], In the 1962 NBA Finals, the Celtics met the Los Angeles Lakers of forward Elgin Baylor and guard Jerry West. In addition to Macauley, who was the Celtics' premier player at the time, he wanted Cliff Hagan, who had been serving in the military for three years and had not yet played for the Celtics. Russell played 48 games, averaging 14.7 points per game and a league-high 19.6 rebounds per game. [60] Despite their different ethnic backgrounds and lack of common off-court interests, his relationship with Cousy was amicable. His coach, George Powles, encouraged the youngster to develop his skills and become a good player. He later recalled: "To play good defense it was told back then that you had to stay flatfooted at all times to react quickly. Photos: The life and career of NBA legend Bill Russell | CNN Astrological Sign: Aquarius, Death Year: 2022, Death date: July 31, 2022, Article Title: Bill Russell Biography, Author: Biography.com Editors, Website Name: The Biography.com website, Url: https://www.biography.com/athletes/bill-russell, Publisher: A&E; Television Networks, Last Updated: August 11, 2022, Original Published Date: April 2, 2014. [5][41] His stint as coach of the Celtics was also of historical significance,[147][148] as he became the first black head coach in the NBA,[14] when he succeeded Red Auerbach. William Felton Russell (February 12, 1934 July 31, 2022) was an American professional basketball player who played as a center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. In Game 6, Russell recorded his first career triple-double with 19 points, 24 rebounds, and 10 assists as the Celtics won 119105. You are less. [188], In 1959, Russell became the first NBA player to visit Africa. "[167] During the NBA All-Star Weekend on February 14, 2009, NBA Commissioner David Stern announced that the NBA Finals MVP award would be named after Russell. Basketball provided him a means of rising above this negativity and he grew up to prove his mettle. Bill Russell's selection to the Basketball Hall of Fame for his coaching career was announced on May 16, 2021. He was the central focus of the Celtics dynasty, who won 11 NBA championships so over course of his 13 Chamberlain often invited Russell over for Thanksgiving dinner; at Russell's place, conversation mostly concerned Russell's electric trains. We won the National Championship. The crowd gave Russell a prolonged standing ovation, which brought tears to his eyes. [50] He ranks No. [49], In the draft, Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach set his sights on Russell, thinking his defensive toughness and rebounding prowess were the missing pieces the Celtics needed. BILL Russell's wife has shared a sweet picture of the couple after his passing this weekend aged 88. ", "Basketball Players who Caused Rule Changes by Ron Kurtus", "The Bill Russell Story: More Than A Champion", "NCAA Basketball Tourney History: Two by Four", "Stanford Trackmen Finish Fourth in Fresno Relays; Leamon King Equals Century World Record; Landy Runs Mile in 3.59.1; Russell Nears Mark", "Bill Russell's 66-year-old University of San Francisco high jump record may never be broken", "Bill Russell attempting to clear 69 1/4. When the Celtics drafted Chuck Cooper and they came into Washington, D.C., to sign his contract, Walter Brown the owner of the team walked up to him and said: 'Mr. [122], Russell became a vegetarian, took up golf, and worked as a color commentator for CBS and TBS throughout the 1970s into the mid-1980s, but he was uncomfortable as a broadcaster. children: Jacob Russell, Karen Russell, William Russell Jr. Grouping of People: Black Baseball Players, U.S. State: Louisiana, African-American From Louisiana, awards: 1955 - NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player 1955-1956 - 2 NCAA champion 1963 - NBA All-Star Game MVP, 19571959 - 5 NBA rebounding champion 19641965 - 5 NBA rebounding champion 1958 - 5 NBA Most Valuable Player 1965 - 5 NBA Most Valuable Player 19611963 - 5 NBA Most Valuable Player 1957 - 11 NBA champion 19591966 - 11 NBA champion 19681969 - 11 NBA champion. And what we would do is[Auerbach] trusted all his playersso like when he'd make a coaching decision, he could talk: he talked to [Bob] Cousey [who is white], he talked to me [black], he talked to [Bill] Sharman [white], he talked to Sam [Jones] [black]all of us: 'What do you think?' He still holds the NBA record for rebounds in one half with 32 (vs. Philadelphia, November 16, 1957). He was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama in 2011 for his accomplishments in the Civil Rights Movement, both on and off the court. The game was tied with two seconds left when Sam Jones sank a clutch shot that won the Celtics the series. [19] Russell's father was once refused service at a gas station until the staff had taken care of all the white customers first. [5] In addition, Russell holds the NBA Finals single-game record for most rebounds (40, March 29, 1960, vs. St. Louis, and April 18, 1962, vs. Los Angeles), most rebounds in a quarter (19, April 18, 1962, vs. Los Angeles), and most consecutive games with 20 or more rebounds (15 from April 9, 1960 April 16, 1963). Bill Russell dies at 88: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, [71] Boston won a then-record 59 regular-season games, including a then-record tying 17-game win streak. [112], In 1971, Russell joined NBA on ABC to do commentary on the Game of the Week. With the added defensive presence of Russell, the Celtics had laid the foundation for a dynasty, as the team utilized a strong defensive approach to the game, forcing opposing teams to commit many turnovers, which led to many easy points on fast breaks. [19] When he later became a standout college player at USF, Russell recalled how he and his few fellow black teammates were jeered by white students.