We won 28 out of 29 games. [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. Before his rookie year, he was made the captain of the U.S. national basketball team that competed at the 1956 Summer Olympics. [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. [12] Russell averaged 16.6 points per game and a league-record average of 22.7 rebounds per game. [53] The U.S. dominated the tournament, winning by an average of 53.5 points per game. (2004). 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. Bill Russell started playing for the Celtics in the 1956-57 season in December. [50] Despite this, the Celtics were leading only 9795 with 34 seconds left when Russell closed out the game with several consecutive clutch plays. "[50] The next day, The Boston Globe read: "Russell's Reflexes Befuddles Visitors. "[102] The game still ended on a high note for Russell. He passed away peacefully with his wife next to him. 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. 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. And I could anticipate every move that every player made. [161] In 2009, Slam named him the third best player of all-time behind Jordan and Chamberlain. So we never, or at least I never, ever considered him as having ulterior motives for whatever he did. [48], The Harlem Globetrotters invited Russell to join their exhibition basketball squad. [108], Days later, 30,000 Celtics fans cheered their returning heroes. In the 1959 NBA Finals, the Celtics recaptured the NBA title, sweeping the Minneapolis Lakers 40. [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!" 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. [1] On March 11, 1965, in a 112100 win over the Detroit Pistons, Russell grabbed 49 rebounds, which tied for the third-most in a single game in NBA history,[93] along with 27 points and 6 assists. He became the centerpiece of a USF team that became a formidable college basketball team. [197] Russell also had a shoe designed by Bristol Manufacturing Corporation in 1966, the Bill Russell Professional Basketball Shoe. [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. 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. The Celtics won, earning their first NBA championship. His father gave up his trucking job and became a steelworker in order to be closer to his children. 1 in NBA history for defensive win shares at 133.6, with Tim Duncan in second at 106.3. 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. These statues were modeled by a local boy from Somerville and multiple girls from the surrounding area. [5] The Russell draft-day trade was later called one of the most important trades in the history of North American sports. The already hostile atmosphere between Russell and Boston hit its apex when vandals broke into his house in Reading, Massachusetts, covered the walls with racist graffiti, damaged his trophies, and defecated in the beds. [5][50], In the 196061 NBA season, Russell averaged 16.9 points and 23.9 rebounds per game,[1] leading his team to a regular season mark of 5722. He was one of the greatest rebounders in basketball history and had led 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). [14] In 2011, Barack Obama awarded Russell the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his accomplishments on the court and in the civil rights movement. 6 jersey would be retired throughout the National Basketball Association, the first time a jersey had been retired league-wide in NBA history, and joining Jackie Robinson and Wayne Gretzky in the honor among the four major American sports leagues. 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. In 2010 Russell received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the countrys highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama. In the 1960 NBA playoffs, Russell's Celtics met Chamberlain's Warriors in the Eastern Division Finals. In Game 6, Russell recorded his first career triple-double with 19 points, 24 rebounds, and 10 assists as the Celtics won 119105. He led the San Francisco Dons to two consecutive NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956,[4] and he captained the gold-medal winning U.S. national basketball team at the 1956 Summer Olympics. [81][82] Russell finished with a clutch performance, scoring 30 points, along with 4 assists,[83] and tying his own NBA Finals record with 40 rebounds in a 110107 overtime win. At age 35, Russell contributed with 6 points, 21 rebounds, and 6 assists in his last NBA game. 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. 1 choice has to be Bill Russell. In California, life for the Russell family proved rocky. [60] Despite their different ethnic backgrounds and lack of common off-court interests, his relationship with Cousy was amicable. You are a Negro. He won 11 NBA championships as a player with the Boston Celtics in 13 seasons. In addition, Auerbach had already used his NBA territorial pick to acquire talented forward Tom Heinsohn. [32] Russell became one of several big men who have brought about NCAA rule changes. 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. It covered every area. [57] Auerbach assigned him to shut down the Hawks' main scorer and Russell impressed the Boston crowd with his man-to-man defense and shot-blocking. (embedded photo)", "Rare Photos of Bill Russell (third photo in gallery", "Eight players who have won NCAA, NBA, and Olympic titles", "2003 draft eventually may be best in history", "Philadelphia Warriors vs Boston Celtics Box Score, January 1, 1957", "Russell of Celtics Violates N.B.A. When he attempted to leave and find a different station, the attendant stuck a shotgun in his face and threatened to kill him if he did not stay and wait his turn. "[166] In 2000, his longtime teammate Tom Heinsohn described both Russell's stature and his uneasy relationship with Boston more earthily, saying: "Look, all I know is the guy came to Boston and won 11 championships in 13 years, and they named a bleeping tunnel after Ted Williams. To coach the Celtics, he had initially wanted his old player Frank Ramsey, who was too occupied running his three lucrative nursing homes. Like almost all Southern towns and cities of that time, Monroe was very segregated and the Russells often struggled with racism in their daily lives. 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. [195][196] For his promotion to coach, the Celtics paid Russell an annual salary of $25,000 which was in addition to his salary as a player. Russell wore his Presidential Medal of Freedom and the image was captioned: "Proud to take a knee, and to stand tall against social injustice." Outside the classroom, Russell began playing basketball. The Celtics made good use of the fact that the Los Angeles Lakers had exhausted the St. Louis Hawks in a long seven-game Western Conference Finals,[76] and Boston won the 1961 NBA Finals in five games. He Says He Is His Fathers Son. 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. [159][160] In 2007, he was voted the third best center of all-time by ESPN behind Abdul-Jabbar and Chamberlain. The basketball star and his fourth wife Jeannine had continued to You are less. The Bill Russell Legacy Foundation, established by the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation, funded the project. [5] This took place during his last season (1969) and was the first season the NBA All-Defensive Teams were selected. [108] West then hit one basket after the other and cut the lead to one, and Chamberlain asked to return to the game. The owner of the Hawks called Auerbach later and demanded more in the trade. Over the course of his 13-year NBA career, Russell steered the club to 11 titles. [68] On November 7, 1959, Russell's Celtics hosted Chamberlain's Warriors and pundits called the matchup between the best offensive and defensive centers "The Big Collision" and "Battle of the Titans". [5] Chamberlain said Russell's timing as a shot-blocker was unparalleled. This attitude contributed to his bad rapport with fans and journalists. [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. 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. He most likely would have led the league in blocked shots many times, but the NBA had not yet started keeping track of the statistic. [184] Russell was married to Jeannine Russell at the time of his death. [58] Gottlieb protested the next day, saying that Russell played a one-man zone and goaltended numerous times, to only be called once. [4][8] While at USF, he and Jones helped pioneer a play that later became known as the alley-oop. Russell's stint with the Kings was considerably shorter, his last assignment ending when the Kings went 1741 to begin the 198788 NBA season. "[199] In 2009, Russell wrote his paternal grandfather's motto, passed down to his father and then to him: "A man has to draw a line inside himself that he won't allow any man to cross." He ended his playing career at the age of 35. And in basketball I respect a man for his ability, period. [185][186] He was a resident of Mercer Island, Washington, for over four decades. [108] It was so surprising that Auerbach was blindsided and made the mistake of drafting guard Jo Jo White instead of a center. He was offered a scholarship from the University of San Francisco (USF). [57] Russell's defense was called into question by Eddie Gottlieb, coach of the Philadelphia Warriors, after the WarriorsCeltics game on January 1, 1957, in which he recorded 17 points and 25 rebounds, plus an assist. Russell was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975. [156] In 1970, The Sporting News named Russell the "Athlete of the Decade". 6 jersey to be retired throughout NBA", "NBA players who currently wear No. [110] In response, Russell described Boston as a "flea market of racism". On August 11, 2022, the NBA announced the retirement of Russell's No. This was the first time in seven years that he failed to average at least 23 rebounds a game. Russell. [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. When Russell was eight years old, his father moved the family out of Louisiana and settled in Oakland, California. 6 jersey across the entire league. In protest, the whole team decided to camp out in a closed college dorm, which was later called an important bonding experience for the group. [123] Russell also wrote books, usually written as a joint project with a professional writer, including 1979's Second Wind,[124] and played Judge Roger Ferguson in the Miami Vice episode "The Fix" (aired March 7, 1986). [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. [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. [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". When I started to jump to make defensive plays and to block shots, I was initially corrected, but I stuck with it, and it paid off. The NBA Finals MVP Award was renamed the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Award in his honour in 2009. [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. We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us! "[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. In the fall of 1952, he tried out as a walk-on at the University of San Francisco and earned a scholarship. [57] He also became famous for his shot-blocking skills and pundits called his blocks "Wilsonburgers", referring to the Wilson NBA basketballs he "shoved back into the faces of opposing shooters". 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. [110] According to Taylor, Russell discounted the fact that his career was facilitated by white people who were proven anti-racists: his high school coach George Powles, who encouraged him to play basketball, his college coach Phil Woolpert, who integrated USF basketball, Celtics coach Red Auerbach, who made him the first black NBA coach and is regarded as an anti-racist pioneer for his no color barrier, and Celtics owner Walter A. He was a 5 Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. ", "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. [151] He also had 51 in one game, 49 in two others, and twelve straight seasons of 1,000 or more rebounds. His talent did not immediately shine through. [225], On September 26, 2017, Russell posted a photograph of himself to a previously unused Twitter account in which he was taking the knee in solidarity with the U.S. national anthem kneeling protests. .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. [50], Russell was considered the consummate defensive center, noted for his defensive intensity, basketball IQ, and will to win. [153] In 2009, Russell's erstwhile Knicks opponent Bill Bradley wrote in The New York Times Book Review that Russell "was the smartest player ever to play the game [of basketball]". [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. [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. I owe so much to him it's impossible to express. [178], On August 2, 2020, the West Coast Conference (WCC), which has been home to Russell's alma mater of USF since the league's formation in 1952,[179][a] became the first NCAA Division I conference to adopt a conference-wide diversity hiring commitment, announcing the Russell Rule, named after Russell and based on the National Football League's Rooney Rule. A look at Bill Russells family life Bill was born to Katie and Charles Russell. Jones treated like 'Rock' stars at Alcatraz", "Bill Russell, Who Transformed Pro Basketball, Dies at 88", "Bill Russell Receives Arthur Ashe Courage Award At ESPYS", "Watch Bill Russell be inducted into Hall of Fame as a coach", "Bill Russell's No. Born In: Monroe, Louisiana, United States. 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. Heinsohn felt that Russell resented him because the former was named the 1957 NBA Rookie of the Year. [67] Lakers head coach John Kundla praised Russell, stating: "We don't fear the Celtics without Bill Russell. [169] In October 2021, Russell was honored as one of theleague's 75 greatest players of all-time. That did not happen My junior year in college, I had what I thought was the one of the best college seasons ever. [130] Russell also received honorary degrees from Harvard University on June 7, 2007,[131] and from Dartmouth College on June 14, 2009. [118] He finished with a 341290 regular season record and was 3427 in the playoffs. [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. Russell's [137] During halftime of the 2009 NBA All-Star Game, Celtics captains Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce presented Russell a surprise birthday cake for his 75th birthday. [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. 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. 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 [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. Concentration and mental toughness are the margins of victory. August 1, 2022 NBA reacts to [2] Russell and Henri Richard of the National Hockey League are tied for the record of the most championships won by an athlete in a North American sports league. [158], On August 11, 2022, it was announced that Russell's No. Following Chamberlain's death in October 1999, Russell returned to prominence at the turn of the millennium. 5. [57] Russell never had to work part-time. I could always be myself with them and they were always there for me. See the events in life of Bill Russell in Chronological Order, (One of the Greatest Basketball Players of All Time). [38] He became known for his strong defense and shot-blocking skills, once denying 13 shots in a game. K. C. Jones did not play for the Celtics until 1958 because of military service. [26], Russell soon became noted for his unusual style of defense. Bill Russell, one of the greatest Boston Celtics and NBA players ever, died, his family said Sunday. "[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. [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. He's so good, he scares you. Johnny Havlicek stole the ball! [142], Russell is one of the most successful and decorated athletes in North American sports history. Best Known For: Hailed as the greatest winner in sports, Basketball Hall of Fame center Bill Russell led the Boston Celtics to an unprecedented 11 championships in 13 seasons. [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. [146] He also won two state championships in high school. [62] Russell scored 21 points and grabbed an NBA Finals-record 40 rebounds, plus an assist, in a Game 2 loss,[74] and he added 22 points and 35 rebounds, along with 4 assists,[75] in the deciding Game 7, a 122103 victory for Boston. In Game 2, Philadelphia evened the series with a 115106 win and then went on to win Games 3 and 4. "[202], Russell was driven by "a neurotic need to win", as his Celtic teammate Tom Heinsohn observed. Celtics owner Walter A. Bill Russell grins at announcement that he had been named coach of the Boston Celtics basketball team, April 18, 1966. Athletically awkward at first, Russell struggled to find playing time on the team at McClymonds High School in Oakland. Bill Russell . "[5] The Sixers outpaced the Celtics when they shredded the famed Boston defense by scoring 140 points in the clinching Game 5 win. [132] On June 18, 2007, Russell was inducted as a member of the founding class of the FIBA Hall of Fame. He was famous for his shot-blocking and man-to-man defense which led his team to many victories in major tournaments. [121] In addition, Russell ran into financial trouble. [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. He was the son of Katie and Charles Russell. [116] He attended his 2021 induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach. [57] Russell had a more cordial relationship with many of his teammates with the notable exception of Heinsohn, his old rival and fellow rookie. Russell used a copy as extra motivation and told his team to play a running game because in that case it was not the better but the more determined team that was going to win. [19] While there, they fell into poverty and Russell spent his childhood living in a series of public housing projects. [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. They had three children and divorced in 1973. 6 in ESPN's NBA 75th Anniversary Team list,[164] and No. [165], Of Russell, former NBA player and head coach Don Nelson said: "There are two types of superstars. [20] When World War II broke out, the elder Russell became a truck driver. [198], In 1966, The New York Times wrote that "Russell's main characteristics are pride, intelligence, an active and appreciative sense of humor, a preoccupation with dignity, a capacity for consideration once his friendship or sympathy has been aroused, and an unwillingness to compromise whatever truths he has accepted. Spouse/Ex-: Dorothy Anstett (m. 19771980), Marilyn Nault (m. 19962009), Rose Swisher (m. 19561973). I'm certainly going to ask Maurice Podoloff." During his early life, Bill Russell struggled in his life as he At the age of 9 he moved to Oakland. [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. [5], On February 5, 1960, Russell had 23 points, 51 rebounds, and 5 assists in a 124100 win over the Syracuse Nationals. The two men did not speak to each other for more than twenty years until Russell met with Chamberlain and personally apologized. If I looked at it objectively, detached myself, it would be a deficiency. Schayes, who had become the 76ers coach, said: "The Celtics can thank the Good Lord for Bill Russell. A five-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and a 12-time NBA All-Star, he was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career. He later recalled: "To play good defense it was told back then that you had to stay flatfooted at all times to react quickly. The couple actually tied the knot on December 9, 1956, with Bill soon making it clear he owed a vast majority of his ambition, compassion, drive, and success to his In its announcement, the WCC stated: "The 'Russell Rule' requires each member institution to include a member of a traditionally underrepresented community in the pool of final candidates for every athletic director, senior administrator, head coach and full-time assistant coach position in the athletic department. Hewas married to Jeannine Russell at the time of his death. [37], On the hardwood, Russell's experiences were far more pleasant. Although Russell was a good runner and jumper and had large hands,[20] he did not understand the game and was cut from the team at Herbert Hoover Junior High School. [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 had an impressive record not just as a basketball player, but more importantly, as a civil rights activist. WebBill Russell as seen in an Instagram Post in July 2019 (Bill Russell / Instagram) Bill Russell Facts. Two years later, the couple welcomed a second son, 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.

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