[50], Before his NBA rookie year, Russell was the captain of the 1956 U.S. men's Olympic basketball team that competed at the 1956 Summer Olympics, which was held in November and December in Melbourne, Australia, in the Southern Hemisphere. [169], In 2013, Boston honored Russell by erecting a statue of him on City Hall Plaza. [5] Russell is the all-time playoff leader in total (4,104) and average (24.9) rebounds per game, he grabbed 40 rebounds in three separate playoff games (twice in the NBA Finals), and he never failed to average at least 20 rebounds per game in any of his thirteen playoff campaigns. [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 family said on social media that Russell died on Sunday, July 31, 2022. Russell made himself eligible for the 1956 NBA draft. He replied: "Yes." [47], The Harlem Globetrotters invited Russell to join their exhibition basketball squad. Prior to Game 5, no NBA team had ever come back from a 31 deficit. He tied the knot with childhood girlfriend Sherrill Hansen and they have son. [98] On April 16, 1966, Russell agreed to become head coach of the Celtics, and a public announcement was made two days later. 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. . Bill Russell has been married to three different ladies during his 88 years of lifetime named Marilyn Nault (m. 1996-2009), Dorothy Anstett (m. 1977-1980), and Rose Swisher (m. 1956-1973). Russell anchored a Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 titles in 13 years . [5][49], 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. [215] He was quoted as saying: "From my very first year I thought of myself as playing for the Celtics, not for Boston. "[120] In December 2008, the We Are Boston Leadership Award was presented to Russell. By profession, Karen is an attorney and political expert. It's all over! [59] In the highly-competitive Game 7, Russell tried his best to slow down Pettit, as Heinsohn scored 37 points and kept the Celtics alive;[59] 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. Arthur was a man of great courage. We won the National Championship. Constantly provoked by New York Knicks center Ray Felix during a game, he complained to coach Auerbach, who told him to take matters into his own hands. [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. In the interim, Russell won an Olympic gold medal in 1956. Russell was accused of selling out the future of the franchise for a month of his salary. "[49] 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. In 1954, he became the first coach of a major college basketball squad to start three African-American players: K. C. Jones, Hal Perry, and Russell. When their family uprooted to Oakland, California, they lived in the projects. William Felton Russell Summary William Felton Russell of 226 Causeway St, in Boston, Massachusetts United States was born on February 12, 1934 in West Monroe, Louisiana, and died at age 88 years old on July 31, 2022. 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. [172] The statue was unveiled on November 1, 2013, with Russell in attendance. August 1, 2022 9:47 AM Bill Russell discusses his views on race and being a barrier breaker in the 1960s. He was one of the greatest to ever play the game of basketball and left behind an amazing legacy. [149] He also had 51 in one game, 49 in two others, and twelve straight seasons of 1,000 or more rebounds. [93], In the 1965 NBA playoffs, the Celtics played the Eastern Division Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers, a team that had traded for Chamberlain. . In 1975, he was inducted into the basketball hall of fame. ", "Glory at the Basket, William Felton Russell", "The Ring Leader: Bill Russell helped the Celtics rule their sport like no team ever has", "Celtics Name Russell Coach, Making Him First Negro to Lead Major Team", "A Farewell Fiercest Rival: Bill Russell Recalls Wilt As His Friend For Eternity", "Bill Russell: Working with Red Auerbach", "More than 40 years later, Celtics great Bill Russell finally accepts his Hall of Fame ring", "Third Annual 'We Are Boston' Event Honors Outstanding Contributions to Boston's Diversity", "Bill Russell: 'Tell those NFL players, I'm with them', https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bill_Russell&oldid=1134316357, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 18 January 2023, at 02:15. 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. Following Chamberlain's death in October 1999, Russell returned to prominence at the turn of the millennium. The couple got divorced in 1973. William Felton "Bill" Russell was an American professional basketball player. He said: "The Celtics were the first [NBA basketball] team to draft a black player, period: a guy named Chuck Cooper from Duquesne. [144] He also won two state championships in high school. At one point, the article reads, The girl [Dorothy] listed as one of lifes ambitions the chance to teach high school for mentally retarded children. -~-~~-~~~-~~-~- Please watch: "FULL KYRIE IRVING and GORDON HAYWARD CELTICS Press Conference" youtube.com/watch?v=f7FoDj4-Nzw -~-~~-~~~-~~-~-, Karen Rusell penned an article for the New York Times. Russell had three children with his first wife; two sons and a daughter. [110] Although White became a standout Celtics player, Boston lacked an All-Star center, went 3448 in the 196970 NBA season, and failed to make it to the 1970 NBA playoffs, marking the first time since 1950 that they did not make the playoffs. In Game 2, Philadelphia evened the series with a 115106 win and then went on to win Games 3 and 4. [120], 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. His family posted the news on social media, saying his wife, Jeannine, was by his side. In the 1961 NBA playoffs, the Celtics defeated the Syracuse Nationals 41 in the Eastern Division Finals. But there's another type who makes the players around him look better than they are, and that's the type Russell was. Russell held Chamberlain to a pair of field goals in the first three quarters of Game 3. [118] Russell then served as general manager of the Kings during the 198889 season. [107] The teams split the next two games and it all came down to Game 7 in Los Angeles, where Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke angered and motivated the Celtics by putting "proceedings of Lakers victory ceremony" on the game leaflets. Frank Robinson, a future member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, was one of Russell's high school basketball teammates. Bill Russell Speaks at Ceremony for New Statue, For the unveiling of the new statue in Boston City Hall Plaza, Bill Russell speaks about his career as both an athlete and activist, as well as the importance of mentoring and friendship. The 11-time NBA champion had been dealing with health issues in recent years, sources said. He married again Dorothy Anstett (Miss USA 1968) in 1977. Powered by. Bill Russell siblings [192] When Wilt Chamberlain became the first NBA player to earn $100,000 in salary in 1965 (equivalent to $859,873 in 2021), Russell went to Auerbach and demanded a $100,001 salary, which he promptly received. You are a Negro. 1962) (TV Pundit, Lawyer) and 2 sons named William Russell Jr. and Jacob Russell. Cooper, the Boston Celtics will never embarrass you.' He's so good, he scares you. "[5] After the Division Finals, the Celtics had an easier time in the NBA Finals,[95] winning 41 against the Los Angeles Lakers. Karen appears frequently on CNN, MSNBC, and TruTV as a legal and political analyst. Russell, who once said he owed the public nothing,[109] was not there; he ended his career and cut all ties to the Celtics. (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. [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). In 2009, the NBA renamed the NBA Finals MVP Award in his honor. Bill Russell Receives the 2017 NBA Lifetime Achievement Award | NBA on TNT. [57] Gottlieb protested the next day, saying that Russell played a one-man zone and goaltended numerous times, to only be called once. In the piece, she explains how she experienced such privilege in her life at times, but how she was also met with periods of intense racism and sexism. [142] By winning the 1956 NCAA championship with USF and the 1957 NBA title with the Celtics,[143] 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. Advertisement. As the teams split the first six games, the tension was so high that in Game 3 Celtics coach Auerbach punched his colleague Ben Kerner and received a $300 fine. [196], 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. [220] On November 15, 2019, Russell accepted the Hall of Fame ring in a private ceremony with family. Chamberlain often invited Russell over for Thanksgiving dinner; at Russell's place, conversation mostly concerned Russell's electric trains. He passed away peacefully with . [179] In 1977, he married Dorothy Anstett, Miss USA of 1968;[179] they divorced in 1980. [125] 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. [37], On the hardwood, Russell's experiences were far more pleasant. As a child, he witnessed how his parents were victims of racial abuse, and the family eventually moved into government housing projects to escape the daily torrent of bigotry. [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. 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. In the 1959 NBA Finals, the Celtics recaptured the NBA title, sweeping the Minneapolis Lakers 40. [191], During his career, Russell was one of the first big earners in NBA basketball. Bill Russell's daughter, Karen, was born in 1962. His family said on social media that Russell died on Sunday, July 31, 2022. He grew up in a racially segregated neighbourhood where his family was often subjected to rampant acts of racism. Still, there was constantly a flow of people from Louisiana that my father would let stay with us. [187] 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. [109] In response, Russell described Boston as a "flea market of racism". "[200], Russell was driven by "a neurotic need to win", as his Celtic teammate Tom Heinsohn observed. Your login session has expired. [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. He was preceded in . Russell's father was once refused service at a gas station until the staff had taken care of all the white customers first. He revealed that his mother died when he was 12. 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. Russell used his popularity to fight for civil rights and help others who were in a similar situation. Dorothy Anstett Born: Kirkland, Washington, United States Date of birth: 1947-06-28 Spouse: Bill Russell https://t.co/T9E7sVcZUO pic.twitter.com/se6ka2URg3. [66] Lakers head coach John Kundla praised Russell, stating: "We don't fear the Celtics without Bill Russell. . 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. [49][89], In the 196364 NBA season, the Celtics posted a league-best 5822 record in the regular season. [5] For his efforts, Russell was named Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year. [159] In 2009, Slam named him the third best player of all-time behind Jordan and Chamberlain. [135] He was named as a 2010 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. [19] Russell's father was once refused service at a gas station until the staff had taken care of all the white customers first. [186], In 1959, Russell became the first NBA player to visit Africa. Bill Cosby's daughter Ensa was buried at the comedian's family compound outside Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts on Wednesday. Auerbach, Red and John Feinstein. Well, that let me know that if I were to accept these as the final judges of my career I would die a bitter old man." The first team to start five black players was the Boston Celtics. [117] He finished with a 341290 regular season record and was 3427 in the playoffs. [116], After retiring as a player, Russell had stints as head coach of the Seattle SuperSonics (19731977) and Sacramento Kings (19871988). In a statement, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said that Russell was "the greatest champion in all of team sports". Birth Place: Bill Russell parents Russell was born on February 12, 1934, to Charles Russell and Katie Russell in West Monroe, Louisiana. Bill Russell is a 74 years old American baseball player and coach from Monroe, Louisiana. Bill Russell with his coach, Red Auerbach, in December 1964 after scoring his 10,000th career point in a game in Boston Garden. 6 jersey to be retired throughout NBA", "NBA players who currently wear No. Rules on Defense, Coach of Warriors Says", "The 'Coleman Play' introduced and defined Bill Russell's never-say-die leadership to Boston", "12 times NBA awards were pretty ridiculous", "Syracuse Nationals at Boston Celtics Box Score, February 5, 1960", "Boston Celtics at Philadelphia Warriors Box Score, November 24, 1960", "1960 NBA Finals Game 2: St. Louis Hawks at Boston Celtics Box Score, March 29, 1960", "1960 NBA Finals Game 7: St. Louis Hawks at Boston Celtics Box Score, April 9, 1960", "Celtics Give Sharman Championship Sendoff", "Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers Box Score, April 16, 1962", "Boston Celtics Players to have recorded a triple-double", "1962 NBA Finals Game 7: Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics Box Score, April 18, 1962", "Cincinnati Royals vs Boston Celtics Box Score, January 31, 1963", "Kennedy Greets Celtics, but Bill Russell Sleeps", "New York Knicks at Boston Celtics Box Score, February 10, 1963", "1963 NBA Finals Game 3: Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers Box Score, April 17, 1963", "On this day: Pandemic pause anniversary; Russell's 49 boards; Potapenko trade", "Detroit Pistons vs Boston Celtics Box Score, March 11, 1965", "1968 Sportsman of the Year: Bill Russell, Boston Celtics coach-player", "Bill Russell Reported Favoring Movie Career", "Celtics legend Bill Russell receives second induction into Basketball Hall of Fame, as coach this time", "Successful, short-lived coaching days get Bill Russell into Hall again", "Bill Russell Leaves Lasting Impact on Kings", "Watch Saturday Night Live Episode: November 3 Bill Russell", "Culture Now Is a Great Time to Read Bill Russell's Memoir", "Best Betting Scenes: Bill Russell Goes Rogue on 'Miami Vice', "Russell Redux: A Private Man Bursts Back Into the Public Eye", "Shaq heeds Russell's call for peace; Lakers hold on for win", "Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame to induct founding class", "Sports legend Bill Russell receives an honorary degree at the 2007 Suffolk University commencement", "Honorary degrees awarded at Commencement's Morning Exercises", "Dartmouth grads hear 'nose dive' warning", "Naismith and FIBA Hall of Fame: Full list of inductees enshrined at Springfield and Madrid", "Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement Sports", "The Finals MVP to Receive Bill Russell MVP Award", "All-Star Top 10, from Shaq's moves to boos for Spurs", "Kobe shows maturity of last seven years in leading Lakers to title", "Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients (Photos)", "Inside the Iconic Obama Basketball Games at the White House", "25 players that won a NCAA and NBA championship", "Jordan, Jabbar, Russell and Magic won NCAA and NBA titles, but it's become a rare feat", "Quick quiz: Only four players have been", "How Bill Russell's coaching career opened doors for NBA's Black head coaches", "Bill Russell: How historic success as the league's first Black coach paved the way for others", "NBA Legend Bill Russell Became First Black Coach In Pro Sports 46 Years Ago Today", "Biggest moments for NBA's 15 Greatest Coaches", "Top 10 NBA Players With The Most Finals And Regular Season MVPs Combined", "Ranking Every NBA All-Defensive First Team in History from Worst to First", "NBA 75: Bill Russell, 1960s Athlete of the Decade (TSN Archives)", "ESPN's 'SportsCentury' Goes Back-Back-Back", "Top N. American athletes of the century", "Daily Dime: Special Edition The game's greatest giants ever", "Ranking the top 74 NBA players of all time: Nos. Bill Russell American baseball player and coach. Bill Russell, the most prolific winner in American sports history, passed away peacefully today at age 88, with his wife, Jeannine, by his side. @NBATV before Game 6 of 2013 #NBAFinals. [56], 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!" Russell, a longtime Mercer Island resident died on Sunday at the age of 88. When Russell was eight years old, his father moved the family out of Louisiana and settled in Oakland, California. "[101] The game still ended on a high note for Russell. Karen Kenyatta Russell is the daughter of NBA Icon Bill Russel. NBA Legend Bill Russell receives the 2017 NBA Lifetime Achievement Award. [109][219], Russell refused to attend the ceremony when his jersey No. "[213], In 1966, Russell was promoted to head coach of the Celtics. He won more championships than any other NBA player and made the Boston Celtics one of the most successful franchises in the league's history. [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. At age 35, Russell contributed with 6 points, 21 rebounds, and 6 assists in his last NBA game. [136] Russell attended Game 5 of the 2009 NBA Finals to present Bryant the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award. [224], 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. 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. In a 1980 poll of basketball writers, he was voted the greatest . Bill Russell had three kids, Karen, William Jr., and Jacob. He was one of five, along with James Naismith, Oscar Robertson, Dean Smith, and John Wooden, selected to represent the inaugural class. Bill Russell, the NBA great who anchored a Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 championships in 13 years - the last two as the first Black head coach in any major US sport - and marched for. Tonight, Bull Russell will receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2019 ESPYs. is LYING to you. 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. It covered every area. 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. 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. Bill Russell has three children. Here's what we know about his kids and family. The crowd gave Russell a prolonged standing ovation, which brought tears to his eyes. Around that time, according to John Taylors book, The Rivalry: Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and the Golden Age of Basketball, they grew emotionally distant and divorced. She already does volunteer work as a tutor for underprivileged children in her hometown.. [176], 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,[177][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. While there is still progress to be made, the Hall of Famer should get a lot of credit for fighting against what was wrong. Updated: July 31, 2022 Biography ID: 192868748 Jump to: Biography Memories Family Tree 1 Follower William Russell's Biography [59] Despite their different ethnic backgrounds and lack of common off-court interests, his relationship with Cousy was amicable. [218] 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". [19] While there, they fell into poverty and Russell spent his childhood living in a series of public housing projects. Russell, who had a difficult relationship with the media, did not attend either ceremony. [61] Russell scored 21 points and grabbed an NBA Finals-record 40 rebounds, plus an assist, in a Game 2 loss,[73] and he added 22 points and 35 rebounds, along with 4 assists,[74] in the deciding Game 7, a 122103 victory for Boston. In the letter she wrote for The New York Times in 1987, Karen Russell said her family came home from a three-day weekend one night to find their house robbed and vandalized. Bill Russell's legacy of lonely courage in the fight against hate Kevin Cullen Dan McGowan The Rhode Island Senate president's final words for Providence Mayor Elorza YOU'VE BEEN SELECTED We. The NBA family just learned this afternoon that Bill Russell, the 11-time champion and Hall of Fame icon of the Boston Celtics, who used that fame to further the civil rights cause in the. 4 in ESPN's list of the top 74 NBA players of all time, the second best center behind Abdul-Jabbar and ahead of Chamberlain. If you were too sheltered, you might not be motivated to help others who do not have your advantages.'. [110] Russell notified Auerbach that he was resigning to join a career in television and movies "in order to find new sources of income for the future". He owns a strong physique with great body measurements and a normal body type. In honoring the legendary athlete, ESPN writes that recipients of the distinguished award, reflect the spirit of Arthur Ashe, possessing strength in the face of adversity, courage in the face of peril and the willingness to stand up for their beliefs no matter what the cost.. Today, Karen is 57 years old. He made a free throw, blocked a shot by Sixers player Chet Walker, grabbed a rebound off a miss by Greer, and passed the ball to teammate Sam Jones, who scored to clinch the win. The Bill Russell Legacy Foundation, established by the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation, funded the project. Russell's family announced the legendary NBA center died at 88. In Boston Garden his wife, Jeannine, was by his side Russell Game. Nba season, the Celtics defeated the Syracuse Nationals 41 in the regular season need. Mvp Award in his honor to prominence at the 2019 ESPYs stating: `` We do n't fear the recaptured! Franchise for a month of his salary, conversation mostly concerned Russell 's experiences were more... 2009 NBA Finals to present Bryant the NBA Finals, the Celtics kids, Karen William! Nba Icon Bill Russel 's what We know about his kids and family settled. 1947-06-28 Spouse: Bill Russell Receives the 2017 NBA Lifetime Achievement Award three kids, is! 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