Bill Russell's selection to the Basketball Hall of Fame for his coaching career was announced on May 16, 2021. [116] He attended his 2021 induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach. After he graduated, the NCAA rules committee instituted a second new rule to counter the play of big men like Russell; basket interference was now prohibited. He grew up in a racially segregated neighbourhood where his family was often subjected to rampant acts of racism. '"[219] In retirement, Russell described the Boston press as corrupt and racist; in response, Boston sports journalist Larry Claflin claimed that Russell himself was the real racist. [108] Russell then reversed himself and ordered his team to double-team West and Boston won Game 3. In the 1959 NBA Finals, the Celtics recaptured the NBA title, sweeping the Minneapolis Lakers 40. [197] Russell also had a shoe designed by Bristol Manufacturing Corporation in 1966, the Bill Russell Professional Basketball Shoe. Born on 12 February 1934, Bill Russells age was 88 Years Old when he passed away on 31 July 2022. In 2010 Russell received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the countrys highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama. My wife and Russell's laugh. [3] Russell is widely considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time. [68][109] The Celtics held on for a 108106 victory and Russell claimed his eleventh championship in thirteen years. Russell scored 15.0 points per game and grabbed a career-high 24.7 rebounds per game, leading the NBA in rebounds for the first time since Chamberlain entered the league. He was one of the greatest rebounders in basketball history and had led [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. He had invested $250,000 in a rubber plantation in Liberia, where he had wanted to spend his retirement, but it went bankrupt. Concentration and mental toughness are the margins of victory. "[61] Before the 196162 season, Russell's team was scheduled to play in an exhibition game in Lexington, Kentucky, when Russell and his black teammates were refused service at a local restaurant. [203] Later in Russell's career, John Havlicek said of his teammate and coach that he threw up less often than early in his career, only doing so "when it's an important game or an important challenge for himsomeone like Chamberlain, or someone coming up that everyone's touting. [86] On February 10, 1963, Russell recorded his first regular season triple-double after putting up 17 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 129123 win over the New York Knicks. Outside the classroom, Russell began playing basketball. He is said to have made a conscious decision to put the team first and foremost, and not worry about individual achievements. [53] The U.S. dominated the tournament, winning by an average of 53.5 points per game. NBA legend Bill Russell, an 11-time NBA champion with the Boston Celtics and the first Black head coach in the league, passed away peacefully Sunday, Russell said he was "proud of my grandfather's heroic dignity against forces more powerful than him he would not allow himself to be oppressed or intimidated by anyone." Russell wore his Presidential Medal of Freedom and the image was captioned: "Proud to take a knee, and to stand tall against social injustice." This was in contrast to other Celtics who had to work during the offseason to maintain their standard of living; Tom Heinsohn sold insurance, Gene Guarilia was a professional guitar player, Cousy ran a basketball camp, and Red Auerbach invested in plastics and a Chinese restaurant. "[5] After the Division Finals, the Celtics had an easier time in the NBA Finals,[96] winning 41 against the Los Angeles Lakers. Russell also had seven regular-season games with 40 or more rebounds, the NBA Finals record for highest rebound per game average (29.5, 1959) and by a rookie (22.9, 1957). [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. He was the son of Katie and Charles Russell. He had a difficult childhood and grew up in poverty. Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. [5] The Russell draft-day trade was later called one of the most important trades in the history of North American sports. Cooper, the Boston Celtics will never embarrass you.' The teams split the first six games. After [152] He played in eleven deciding games (ten times in Game 7s, once in a Game 5) and ended with a 110 record. [19] Russell's father was once refused service at a gas station until the staff had taken care of all the white customers first. Following the 1966 season, in which Russell led the Celtics to an eighth consecutive title, Auerbach retired from coaching. The Celtics won the match 115-106. 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. [133][134] In 2008, Russell received the Golden Plate Award of the Academy of Achievement. The talented player had grown up in a neighbourhood notorious for its rampant racism. 4 in a similar list by The Athletic. [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. [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. [210], Chamberlain's knee was injured so badly that he could not play the entire offseason and he ruptured it the next season. In California, life for the Russell family proved rough. Russell, who had a difficult relationship with the media, did not attend either ceremony. Auerbach had informed his players to not endorse candidates or causes, as it would alienate fans; Cousy campaigned for Ted Kennedy in 1962. Even against more physically imposing centers, like .css-47aoac{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#A00000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-47aoac:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}Wilt Chamberlain, Russell was a defensive and rebounding force. "[50] The next day, The Boston Globe read: "Russell's Reflexes Befuddles Visitors. [184] Russell was married to Jeannine Russell at the time of his death. We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us! [159][160] In 2007, he was voted the third best center of all-time by ESPN behind Abdul-Jabbar and Chamberlain. 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. [102], In the 196768 NBA season, the 34-year-old Russell averaged 12.5 points per game and 18.6 rebounds per game,[1] the latter of which was good enough for the third-highest average in the league. [15], Russell was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975, was one of the founding inductees into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006 and was enshrined in the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2007. Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell, who won 11 championships in 13 seasons with the team, .css-m6thd4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:bold;color:#323232;text-transform:capitalize;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-m6thd4:hover{color:link-hover;}}10 Things You Might Not Know About Jimmy Butler, Celebrities & Notables Running the Boston Marathon, 7 Facts About Gymnast and TikTok Star Olivia Dunne, Nat Sweetwater Cliftons First NBA Season, 8 Negro League Legends Featured in a New MLB Game, Get to Know NCAA Tournament Star Caitlin Clark. [20] Since Russell's previous experiences with white authority figures were often negative, warm words from Powles reassured him. [182] In 1996, Russell married his third wife, Marilyn Nault;[183] their marriage lasted until her death in January 2009. [18], Bill Russell was born on February 12, 1934, to Charles Russell and Katie Russell in West Monroe, Louisiana. Russel died on July 31, 2022. Russell limited Chamberlain to only two shot attempts in the second half. [212], Chamberlain outscored Russell 30 to 14.2 and outrebounded him 28.2 to 22.9 in the regular season, and he also outscored him 25.7 to 14.9 and outrebounded him 28 to 24.7 in the playoffs. 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. [101] During the series, Russell said: "Right now, he (Wilt) is playing like me [to win]. [20] Russell was closer to his mother Katie than to his father,[20] and he received a major emotional blow when she suddenly died when he was 12 years old. One of his highest jumps occurred at the WCR, where he achieved a mark of .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}6feet 9+14inches (2.06m);[43] at the meet, Russell tied Charlie Dumas, who would later in the year win gold in the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia for the United States and become the first person to high-jump 7 feet (2.13m). This attitude contributed to his bad rapport with fans and journalists. He still holds the NBA record for rebounds in one half with 32 (vs. Philadelphia, November 16, 1957). [210] He was livid with Russell and saw him as a backstabber. The game was primarily considered a match between Russell and the Warriors center, Wilt Chamberlain, as both of the playerswere amazing centers. Bill Russell was born on January 10, 1935, and died at age 61 years old on March 9, 1996. 6 to be retired across NBA following legend's death last month", "Chat Transcript: Celtics Legend Bill Russell", "Russell 'So good, he scares you' Mikan", "Bill Russell Named Boston Celtic Coach; Basketball Star To Draw $125,001 Salary a Record for a Pro Coach or Manager He'll Take over Next Season", "Who's Better At Hoops: Bill Russell Or Frank Robinson? [119] Russell also served as general manager of the SuperSonics during his coaching tenure,[120] and held the same position with the Kings during the 198889 season. He scored 15.0 ppg and 24.7 rebounds per game during the 1963-64 season. [108] It was so surprising that Auerbach was blindsided and made the mistake of drafting guard Jo Jo White instead of a center. Russell was the first player to win an Olympic Gold Medal, an NBA Championship, and a collegiate championship. [110], For most of his career, Russell and his perennial opponent Wilt Chamberlain were close friends. [108], The Celtics were ahead by nine points with five minutes remaining; in addition, West was limping after a Game 5 thigh injury and Chamberlain had left the game with an injured leg. Because Russell ignored virtually any well-wisher who approached him home or away, including the vast majority of media, his autograph was among the most difficult to secure of any professional athlete of his time. [4] In his USF years, Russell took advantage of his relative lack of bulk to develop a unique defensive style: instead of purely guarding the opposing center, he used his quickness and speed to play help defense against opposing forwards and aggressively challenge their shots. [79] At that time, he became the fourth player in Celtics history to have a triple-double, joining Macauley, Cousy, and K. C. He was offered a scholarship from the University of San Francisco (USF). [126], Russell made few public appearances in the early 1990s, living as a near-recluse on Mercer Island, Washington, near Seattle. Eleven-time NBA champion and Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell died 'peacefully' at the age of 88, his family confirmed Sunday. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [122] Perennially wary of what he long perceived as a racist city, Russell decided to make amends and gave his approval. Russell held Chamberlain to a pair of field goals in the first three quarters of Game 3. Bill Russell was born on 12 February 1934 in Monroe, Louisiana, U.S. "[50] That playoff series ended in a dramatic Game 7, when the Sixers were trailing 110109 five seconds before the end, but Russell turned over the ball. Bill Russell had an impressive record not just as a basketball player, but more importantly, as a civil rights activist. The Celtics won 52 gamesa league record. He was also much respected for his ability to inspire and motivate his team members to improve their playing techniques and give their best. [161] In 2009, Slam named him the third best player of all-time behind Jordan and Chamberlain. Russells superstardom was special not just because of his amazing performances, what made his success even more special was the fact that he was the first African-American player in the NBA history to achieve such glory' he was also the first African-American to become an NBA coach. The relationship between the two was tenuous at best. "[30] The NCAA rewrote rules in response to Russell's dominant play; the lane was widened for his junior year. Boston then beat the Los Angeles Lakers 42 in the 1968 NBA Finals, giving Russell his tenth title in twelve years. '"[204], In a retrospective interview, Russell described the state of mind he felt he needed to enter in order to be able to play basketball: "I had to almost be in a rage. [66] The teams split the first two games, but Russell went down with a foot injury in Game 3 and only returned for Game 6. Bill Russell died at his home in Mercer Island, Washington, on July 31, 2022. [128] On November 17, the two-time NCAA champion Russell was recognized for his impact on college basketball as a member of the founding class of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. This was the first time in seven years that he failed to average at least 23 rebounds a game. [32] Russell became one of several big men who have brought about NCAA rule changes. Rather than play for somebody else, Russell took over as a player-coach, steering the team to titles in 1968 and 1969. [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. 10 Things You Might Not Know About Jimmy Butler, Name: Bill Russell, Birth Year: 1934, Birth date: February 12, 1934, Birth State: Louisiana, Birth City: Monroe, Birth Country: United States. Auerbach, Red and John Feinstein. [45][46][47] He also competed in the 440 yards (402.3m) race, which he could complete in 49.6 seconds. [158], On August 11, 2022, it was announced that Russell's No. 1 in NBA history for defensive win shares at 133.6, with Tim Duncan in second at 106.3. After the loss, he led his grandfather through the Celtics locker rooms and the two saw the white Celtic Havlicek taking a shower next to his black teammate Sam Jones and discussing the game. Bill Russell, one of the greatest Boston Celtics and NBA players ever, died, his family said Sunday. [191] He was issued a citation and released, and the Transportation Security Administration indicated it would levy a civil penalty, which would be between $3,000 and $7,500. [21] Of Russell the college basketball player, Mikan said: "Let's face it, he's the best ever. In Game 4, the Celtics were trailing by one point with seven seconds left and the Lakers had the ball until Baylor stepped out of bounds. [5] He was also known as a fine passer and pick-and-roll setter, featured a decent left-handed hook shot, and finished strong on alley oops. These statues were modeled by a local boy from Somerville and multiple girls from the surrounding area. 6 jersey", "Bill Russell Statue Unveiled At Boston City Hall", "Bill Russell statue to be unveiled Nov. 1", "City Hall Plaza statue honors Celtics' Bill Russell", "Basketball's Bill Russell joins the Bronze Age", "Russell Rule Diversity Hiring Commitment", "The University of San Francisco Honors the Memory of Marilyn Nault Russell", "Bill Russell: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know", "Bill Russell, legendary Celtics center and NBA coach, dead at 88", "Indomitable Russell Values One Accolade Above the Rest", "Police: NBA legend Bill Russell arrested with gun at airport", "Bill Russell, Basketball Great With Record 11 NBA Titles, Dies At 88", "Celtics legend, 11-time NBA champion Bill Russell dies at 88", "What NBA salaries would these superstar players make today? [144] By winning the 1956 NCAA championship with USF and the 1957 NBA title with the Celtics,[145] Russell became the first of only four players in basketball history to win an NCAA championship and an NBA championship back-to-back, the others being Henry Bibby, Magic Johnson, and Billy Thompson. [57], Russell was an elite help defender who allowed the Celtics to play the "Hey, Bill" defense: whenever a Celtic requested additional defensive help, he would shout "Hey, Bill!" [189] Russell was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, having been initiated into its Gamma Alpha chapter while a student at University of San Francisco. Russell was offered the role of player-coach, which he acceptedmaking him the first African-American NBA coach. [162] In 2020, he was ranked No. "[122] In December 2008, the We Are Boston Leadership Award was presented to Russell. Bill Russell started playing for the Celtics in the 1956-57 season in December. William Felton Russell was born on Feb. 12, 1934, in Monroe, Louisiana. Bill Russell married his college sweetheart Rose Swisher in 1956. His team won 49 games and easily made the first berth in the 1958 NBA Playoffs. "[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. He was the central focus of the Celtics dynasty, who won 11 NBA championships so over course of his 13 Brown contacted Rochester owner Les Harrison and received an assurance that the Royals could not afford Russell, and they would draft Sihugo Green. Spouse/Ex-: Dorothy Anstett (m. 19771980), Marilyn Nault (m. 19962009), Rose Swisher (m. 19561973). On August 11, 2022, the NBA announced the retirement of Russell's 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. The couple grew emotionally distant and divorced. [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). Russell capped his amateur career by leading the U.S. mens basketball team to the gold medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. [20] When World War II broke out, the elder Russell became a truck driver. The basketball star and his fourth wife Jeannine had continued to 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. In his first NBA playoff game against the Syracuse Nationals in 1957, he finished with 16 points and 31 rebounds along with 7 blocks. He 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. Hewas married to Jeannine Russell at the time of his death. Avery Brundage, head of the International Olympic Committee, argued that Russell had already signed a professional sport contract and was no longer an amateur sportsman, but Russell prevailed. I refuse to smile and be nice to the kiddies. Chamberlain outscored Russell by 81 points in the series, but the Celtics walked off with a 42 series win. Celebs, sports stars and fans are mourning the loss of NBA legend, Bill Russell. [49] He was active in the Black Power movement and was among the African-American athletes and the one political leader who came together at the 1967 Cleveland Summit to support Muhammad Ali and his decision to refuse to be drafted. [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. [217] He was quoted as saying: "From my very first year I thought of myself as playing for the Celtics, not for Boston. [187] His older brother was the noted playwright Charlie L. A look at Bill Russells family life Bill was born to Katie and Charles Russell. "[180], Russell was married to his college sweetheart Rose Swisher from 1956 to 1973. [110] Russell was also notorious for his refusal to give autographs or acknowledge the Celtics fans, and was called "the most selfish, surly and uncooperative athlete" by one pundit. Their marriage was short-lived as they divorced in 1980. [127] Russell's Rules was published in 2001, and he convinced Miami Heat superstar center Shaquille O'Neal to bury the hatchet with fellow NBA superstar and former Los Angeles Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant and end the ShaqKobe feud in January 2006. [110][221], Russell refused to attend the ceremony when his jersey No. On the road it was not uncommon for him to have to sleep in a different hotel from the one the rest of the club used. The first [NBA organization] to hire a black [head] coach was the Boston Celtics, and they've had at least five [black head-coaches] over the years. And in basketball I respect a man for his ability, period. [72][73] In the 1960 NBA Finals, the Celtics outlasted the Hawks 43 in the series and won their third championship in four years. While Charlie found good work, in 1946 his wife, Katie, became quite sick with the flu and died. Bill Russell was born on 12 February 1934. He Says He Is His Fathers Son. 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?' [66] Many observers thought that Boston could have won had Russell not been injured, but Auerbach commented: "You can always look for excuses We just got beat. "[154] In the book, Russell wrote: "Whenever I leave the Celtics locker room, even Heaven wouldn't be good enough because anywhere else is a step down With Red [Auerbach] and Walter Brown, I was the freest athlete on the planet. Russell was married three times. Born In: Monroe, Louisiana, United States. 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. We won the National Championship. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Bill Russell. [1] Boston defeated the Cincinnati Royals 41 to earn another NBA Finals appearance and then won against Chamberlain's newly relocated San Francisco Warriors 41. If that isn't goaltending, I want somebody to tell me what it is. 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. [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. [34] In one incident, hotels in Oklahoma City refused to admit Russell and his black teammates while they were in town for the 1954 All-College Tournament. Russell made himself eligible for the 1956 NBA draft. At the age of 9 he moved to Oakland. [87] The Celtics reached the 1963 NBA Finals,[88] where they again defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, this time in six games. WebBill Russell was born in Monroe, Louisiana in 1934, to Katie and Charlie Louis Russell. After the next provocation, Russell pounded Felix to the point of unconsciousness, paid a modest $25 fine, and rarely was the target of cheap fouls thereafter. [51] He had the option to skip the tournament and play a full season for the Celtics, but he was determined to play in the Olympics. [112], In 1971, Russell joined NBA on ABC to do commentary on the Game of the Week. In Game 6, Russell recorded his first career triple-double with 19 points, 24 rebounds, and 10 assists as the Celtics won 119105. His amazing performance continued in the 1958-59 season where he averaged 16.7 points per game and 23.0 rebounds per game. And that's the kind of guy [Brown] was. [89] In Game 3, Russell had 21 points, 38 rebounds, and 6 assists. [220] The FBI maintained a file on Russell and described him in their file as "an arrogant Negro who won't sign autographs for white children". [30], Combining the stature and shot-blocking skills of a center with the foot speed of a guard, Russell became the centerpiece of a USF team that soon became a force in college basketball. [80] Game 7 was tied one second before the end of regular time, when Lakers guard Rod Hundley faked a shot and passed out to Frank Selvy, who missed an open eight-foot last-second shot that would have won Los Angeles the title. [Auerbach would] get the information from us and then make a decision based on that information and his thoughts. As part of the 1961 Celtics boycott, he and the other black teammates refused to play in the exhibition game and flew home, drawing a great deal of controversy and publicity. So we never, or at least I never, ever considered him as having ulterior motives for whatever he did. Auerbach agreed to trade Macauley, who had previously asked to be traded to St. Louis in order to be with his sick son, if the Hawks gave up Russell. [146] He also won two state championships in high school. Bill Russell . 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.
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