Their marriage was short-lived as they divorced in 1980. [106] Russell pulled himself together and put up 9.9 points and 19.3 rebounds per game;[1] the aging Celtics stumbled through the regular season. The following season the Celtics became the first team to win 60 games in a season and he was again voted as the NBAs Most Valuable Player. [104], In Game 7, 15,202 Philadelphia fans witnessed a home-team 10096 defeat, making it the first time in NBA history a team lost a series after leading 31. [32] Russell became one of several big men who have brought about NCAA rule changes. "[66], In the 195859 NBA season, Russell averaged 16.7 points per game and 23.0 rebounds per game. 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. In the fall of 1952, he tried out as a walk-on at the University of San Francisco and earned a scholarship. [116] While Russell long had sore feelings towards Boston, there was something of a reconciliation, and he visited the city regularly in his later years, something he never did in the years immediately after his retirement. [60] In the highly-competitive Game 7, Russell tried his best to slow down Pettit, as Heinsohn scored 37 points and kept the Celtics alive;[60] Russell contributed by completing the famous "Coleman Play", as he ran down Hawks forward Jack Coleman, who had received an outlet pass at midcourt, and blocked his shot despite the fact that Russell had been standing at his own baseline when the ball was thrown to Coleman. Auerbach, Red and John Feinstein. Regarded as one of the best ever players in the history of National Basketball Association (NBA), William Felton Bill Russell is a retired professional basketball player who was the centerpiece of the Bostons Celtics dynasty for a period of 13 years. He was very famous for his shot-blocking and man-to-man defense which led his team to many victories in major tournaments. [50] After the game, Russell went over to the distraught West, who had scored 42 points and was named the only NBA Finals MVP in history from the losing team, clasped his hand and tried to soothe him. [117], After retiring as a player, Russell had stints as head coach of the Seattle SuperSonics (19731977) and Sacramento Kings (19871988). WebBill Russell as seen in an Instagram Post in July 2019 (Bill Russell / Instagram) Bill Russell Facts. Throughout his career, Bill Russell won 11 NBA championship rings. Bill Russell, the greatest defensive player of all time, has a special place in the NBAs Hall of Fame. This unlikely superstar came into the NBA as a center for the Boston Celtics and played for the team for his entire 13 years of career. [211] After that, the two were often seen together at various events and interviewed as friends. On August 11, 2022, the NBA announced the retirement of Russell's No. [224] He thanked Chamberlain for taking him to the limit and "making [him] a better player", and the crowd for "allowing [him] to be a part of their lives. With his first wife, Rose, to whom he was married for 17 years, he had three children: a daughter, Karen, and two sons, Buddha and Jacob. [174] The statue was unveiled on November 1, 2013, with Russell in attendance. [78] In the Eastern Division championships of the 1962 NBA playoffs, the Celtics met the Philadelphia Warriors led by Chamberlain, who averaged 50 points per game that season, and Russell did his best to slow him down. [53] The U.S. dominated the tournament, winning by an average of 53.5 points per game. "[5] After the Division Finals, the Celtics had an easier time in the NBA Finals,[96] winning 41 against the Los Angeles Lakers. Many people thought that Russell was more important even though he had only played half the season. He grew up in a racially segregated neighbourhood where his family was often subjected to rampant acts of racism. In overtime, Frank Ramsey, the fourth forward, fouled out trying to guard Baylor, so Russell was robbed of his usual four-men wing rotation; he and little-used fifth forward Gene Guarilia successfully pressured Baylor into missed shots. [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. In the 1961 NBA playoffs, the Celtics defeated the Syracuse Nationals 41 in the Eastern Division Finals. [8][38] His awards and achievements include eleven NBA championships with the Boston Celtics in thirteen seasons,[53] two of which were won as player-coach,[143] and he is credited with having raised defensive play in the NBA to a new level. [59], At that time, Russell received much negative publicity as a player. [200][201] Russell's motto became: "If you disrespect that line, you disrespect me. His talent did not immediately shine through. Brown, who gave him a high $24,000 rookie contract, just $1,000 shy of the top-earning veteran Bob Cousy.[122]. [50][64] In the second overtime, both teams were in serious foul trouble: Heinsohn had fouled out, and the Hawks were so depleted that they had only seven players left. [142], Russell is one of the most successful and decorated athletes in North American sports history. The talented player had grown up in a neighbourhood notorious for its rampant racism. "[110][208] When his white Celtics teammate Frank Ramsey asked whether he hated him, Russell stated that he had been misquoted but few believed it. '"[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. [81] As the game was tied, Russell had the daunting task of defending against Baylor with little frontline help: Loscutoff, Heinsohn, and Satch Sanders, the three best Celtics forwards, had fouled out. . [5] Russell was elected to one NBA All-Defensive First Team. It wasnt long before the defensively adept Russell proved to be dominating presence, with a scorers touch and uncanny ability to rebound. Career-wise in rebounds, Russell ranks second to Chamberlain in regular season total (21,620) and average per game (22.5), and he led the NBA in average rebounds per game four times. The Celtics won Game 4 in an upset, but the Hawks prevailed in Games 5 and 6, with Pettit scoring 50 points in the deciding Game 6. Following the 1969 season, Russell retired from the game. [68][109] The Celtics held on for a 108106 victory and Russell claimed his eleventh championship in thirteen years. Bill Russell He Says He Is His Fathers Son. The Celtics rallied back, winning Game 5 122104 and Game 6 114106, powered by a spirited Havlicek and helped by a terrible Sixers shooting slump. 1 in NBA history for defensive win shares at 133.6, with Tim Duncan in second at 106.3. [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. [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). 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. 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. Cooper, the Boston Celtics will never embarrass you.' Bill Russell Net Worth Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell, who won 11 championships in 13 seasons with the team, At the age of 9 he moved to Oakland. [126], Russell made few public appearances in the early 1990s, living as a near-recluse on Mercer Island, Washington, near Seattle. You are a Negro. Bills understanding of the struggle is what illuminated his life. UCLA Bruins coach John Wooden called Russell "the greatest defensive man I've ever seen". [130] Russell also received honorary degrees from Harvard University on June 7, 2007,[131] and from Dartmouth College on June 14, 2009. He was born to Charles and Katie Russell. 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. When Chamberlain died in 1999, Chamberlain's nephew said that Russell was the second person he was told to call. Russell limited Chamberlain to only two shot attempts in the second half. Bill Russell, a towering figure in the NBA and in American sports history, died at 88 on Sunday, his family announced. 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. Full Article. Bill Russell, byname of William Felton Russell, (born February 12, 1934, Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.), American basketball player who was the first outstanding defensive centre in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and one of the sports greatest icons. He won 11 NBA titles in the 13 seasons that he played with I was the MVP at the Final Four. 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. Russell regarded Auerbach as "the greatest of all coaches". [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. This was the first time in seven years that he failed to average at least 23 rebounds a game. [5] For his efforts, Russell was named Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year. He led USF to NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956, including a string of 55 consecutive victories, and a 26-point, 27-rebound, 20-block performance in one game. Bill Russell's Wives Now: Where Are They Today? [28], Russell was ignored by college recruiters and received not one offer until recruiter Hal DeJulio from the University of San Francisco (USF) watched him play in a high school game. His team won 49 games and easily made the first berth in the 1958 NBA Playoffs. Russell, who was sensitive to any racial prejudice, was enraged by the fact that owner Abe Saperstein would only discuss the matter with Woolpert. [110] The same fate awaited his Boston restaurant Slade's, after which he had to default on a $90,000 government loan to purchase the outlet. 101", "The NBA's 75th Anniversary Team, ranked: Where 76 basketball legends check in on our list", "NBA 75: Top 75 NBA players of all time, from MJ and LeBron to Lenny Wilkens", "President Obama Names Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients", "Bill Russell to receive NBA's inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award", "Bill Russell's No. Bill Russell BILL Russell's wife has shared a sweet picture of the couple after his passing this weekend aged 88. [1] The NBA reasoned that other centers were better all-round players than Russell but no player was more valuable to his team. Russell married his first wife Rose in 1956, and the couple had their first child, William Jr., the year after. [187] His older brother was the noted playwright Charlie L. Regarded as one of the best ever players in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA), William Felton Bill Russell was a professional basketball player who was the centerpiece of the Bostons Celtics for a period of 13 years. They had three children: daughter Karen Russell, a television pundit and lawyer, and sons William Jr. and Jacob. Bill Russell - IMDb That's the first thing Walter Brown said to Chuck Cooper. Auerbach replied that Gottlieb's statements were "absolutely ridiculous" and said any controversy was "a question of sour grapes". 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. He was offered a scholarship from the University of San Francisco (USF). [56] Russell's first Celtics game came on December 22, 1956, against the St. Louis Hawks, led by star forward Bob Pettit, who would go on to hold several all-time scoring records. American basketball player and coach (19342022), 19561958: Rookie champion and early years, 19581966: Eight straight NBA championships, 19661969: Player-coach champion and final years, Racist abuse, controversy, and relationship with Boston fans. (2004). In the 1960 NBA playoffs, Russell's Celtics met Chamberlain's Warriors in the Eastern Division Finals. Bill Russell Children: Meet Jacob Russell, William Russell Jr On May 6, 1999, the Celtics re-retired Russell's jersey in a ceremony attended by his on-court rival and friend Chamberlain, along with Celtics legend Larry Bird and Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Lakers coach Bill van Breda Kolff kept him on the bench until the end of the game, saying later that he wanted to stay with the lineup responsible for the comeback. Russell's father was once refused service at a gas station until the staff had taken care of all the white customers first. [210] He was livid with Russell and saw him as a backstabber. 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. This basketball great was declared as the "Greatest Player in the History of the NBA" by the Professional Basketball Writers Association of America in 1980. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/william-felton-bill-russell-859.php. August 1, 2022 NBA reacts to death of iconic Bill Russell [99] Third choice Tom Heinsohn also said no because he did not think he could handle the often surly Russell,[99] whom he proposed as a player-coach. [58] Gottlieb protested the next day, saying that Russell played a one-man zone and goaltended numerous times, to only be called once. [101] During the series, Russell said: "Right now, he (Wilt) is playing like me [to win]. [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. [108] It was so surprising that Auerbach was blindsided and made the mistake of drafting guard Jo Jo White instead of a center. 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. [89] In Game 3, Russell had 21 points, 38 rebounds, and 6 assists. Bill Russell Age, Net Worth, Wife, Family and Biography He later commented that he would have participated in the high jump if he had been snubbed by the basketball team. He last led the Sacramento Kings as president of basketball operations in the late 1980s. [112], In 1971, Russell joined NBA on ABC to do commentary on the Game of the Week. "[100][216] As a result of repeated racial bigotry, Russell refused to respond to fan acclaim or friendship from his neighbors, thinking it was insincere and hypocritical. Russell played 48 games, averaging 14.7 points per game and a league-high 19.6 rebounds per game. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. See the events in life of Bill Russell in Chronological Order, (One of the Greatest Basketball Players of All Time). Bill Russell was a champion of activism before winning NBA titles 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. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. [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. Russell made himself eligible for the 1956 NBA draft. When Russell was eight years old, his family moved to Oakland, California. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Bill Russell. [206] At the time his additional role of coach was announced, Russell publicly stated he believed Red Auerbach's impact as a coach confined every or almost every relationship with each Celtic player to a strictly professional one. He is one of just two NBA players (the other being prominent rival Wilt Chamberlain) to have grabbed more than 50 rebounds in a game. Over 50 percent of responses said 'There's too many black players. "[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 helped the team win a Gold medal. The two men did not speak to each other for more than twenty years until Russell met with Chamberlain and personally apologized. The game featured Shane Battier, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Maya Moore, Alonzo Mourning, Joakim Noah, Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, and Obama's friends from high school. While Charlie found good work, in 1946 his wife, Katie, became quite sick with the flu and died. Bill Russell [223] When Russell originally retired, he demanded that his jersey be retired in an empty Boston Garden. [57] Russell never had to work part-time. 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. Bill Russell died at his home in Mercer Island, Washington, on July 31, 2022. And I could anticipate every move that every player made. Considered one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history, William Felton Russell was born on February 12, 1934, in Monroe, Louisiana. [62] In Boston, both fans and journalists felt betrayed because Russell left the Celtics without a coach and a center, and he sold his retirement story for $10,000 to Sports Illustrated. In the first two games, Russell ordered his players not to double-team West, who used the freedom to score 53 and 41 points in the Game 1 and 2 Laker wins. The first team to start five black players was the Boston Celtics. In Game 2, Philadelphia evened the series with a 115106 win and then went on to win Games 3 and 4. Bill Russell Biography - Facts, Childhood, Family Life Russell was married three times. 6 jersey to be retired throughout NBA", "NBA players who currently wear No. The fans could do or think whatever they wanted. And in basketball I respect a man for his ability, period. The Celtic coach Red Auerbach retired before the 1966-67 season. Over his 13 seasons in the league, the team played in 12 NBA finals, winning 11 of them. 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. He was one of the greatest rebounders in basketball history and had led In California, life for the Russell family proved rough. [5], Despite his limitations on offense, as Russell averaged 15.1 points per game, his rebounding, defense, and leadership made him one of the dominant players of his era. [1] While his rival had a record-breaking season of 50.4 points per game, including Chamberlain's 100-point game,[68] the Celtics became the first team to win 60 games in a season and Russell was voted as the league's MVP. Bill Russell never ceases to amaze me. [30] Woolpert's choice of how to deploy his players was unaffected by their skin color. It's all over! Over the course of his 13-year NBA career, Russell steered the club to 11 titles. [34] Even after he became a star with the Celtics, Russell was the victim of racial abuse. He was the central focus of the Celtics dynasty, who won 11 NBA championships so over course of his 13 One of the most important moments of his life was when he met with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta and took part in the pivotal March on Washington in 1963. [193], During his career, Russell was one of the first big earners in NBA basketball. Bill Russell averaged 16.9 points and 23.9 rebounds per game in the 1960-61 season leading his team to 57-22 record. [14][192] The news was announced in a Twitter post by his family. [1] Before the January 31, 1963, 18-point, 22-rebound performance in a 128125 win against the Cincinnati Royals at Cole Field House in College Park, Maryland,[84] the Celtics were to tour the White House and Russell had a "Do not disturb" sign on his phone. [38] Russell led the team in scoring, averaging 14.1 points per game for the competition. [12] Russell averaged 16.6 points per game and a league-record average of 22.7 rebounds per game. Bill Russell [133][134] In 2008, Russell received the Golden Plate Award of the Academy of Achievement. [151] He also had 51 in one game, 49 in two others, and twelve straight seasons of 1,000 or more rebounds. [50] He ranks No. 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. I was first team All American. [The sound of Russell throwing up] is a welcome sound, too, because it means he's keyed up for the game, and around the locker room we grin and say, 'Man, we're going to be all right tonight. [156] In 1970, The Sporting News named Russell the "Athlete of the Decade". 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. 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. 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. [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. [41] While blocked shots were not a recorded basketball statistic during Russell's career, he averaged 8.1 blocks in 135 games, as Boston writers often attempted to tally his blocks. Celtics owner Walter A. 5. 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. He thrived at the USF under Coach Phil Woolpert who helped him develop his unique technique of defense. Bill Russell Bill Russell, byname of William Felton Russell, (born February 12, 1934, Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.died July 31, 2022), American basketball player who was the [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. Russell articulated these views with a measure of self-criticism, saying: "I consider this a deficiency in myselfmaybe.
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