He passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 25, 2016. Chamberlain outscored Russell by 81 points in the series, but the Celtics walked off with a 42 series win. "[120] In December 2008, the We Are Boston Leadership Award was presented to Russell. [39][40] During his college career, Russell was the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 1955, averaging 20.7 points per game and 20.3 rebounds per game. [128] Russell also received honorary degrees from Harvard University on June 7, 2007,[129] and from Dartmouth College on June 14, 2009. [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. Bill Russell's family wrote on social media Sunday morning announcing the NBA legend . [204] At the time his additional role of coach was announced, Russell publicly stated he believed Red Auerbach's impact as a coach, regarding him as the greatest of all coaches, confined every or almost every relationship with each Celtic player to a strictly professional one. Cash in on NFL Wild Card Weekend: Bet $5, Get $150 in Free Bets. Johnny Havlicek stole the ball! [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. [189], Russell died at his Mercer Island, Washington, home on July 31, 2022, at the age of 88. [37], On the hardwood, Russell's experiences were far more pleasant. NBA legend Bill Russell passed away at the age of 88. [105] He was 15 pounds overweight, skipped mandatory NBA coach meetings, and was generally lacking energy; after a New York Knicks game, he complained of intense pain and was diagnosed with acute exhaustion. Bill Russell, the most prolific winner in the history of American sports, died Sunday. July 31, 2022 1:27pm. Russell died on Sunday at the age of 88 with his wife Jeannine by his side, his family said in a statement on Twitter. William Lane Russell (Bill), age 78 of Tunnel Hill, Georgia died unexpectedly on November 24, 2020. It would be to our advantage if we paid him off for five years to get away from us in the rest of this series. [109] 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. The Hall of Famer was 88. [182] Russell was married to Jeannine Russell at the time of his death. [49] Bill Simmons has estimated that Russell had between 8 and 15 blocks per game in the playoffs. [45][46] He also competed in the 440 yards (402.3m) race, which he could complete in 49.6 seconds. #ESPYsABC #ArthurAsheAward @NBA @espn @celtics @BleacherReport @SLAMonline @BostonGlobe @ESPYS pic.twitter.com/AybfEZOzAb, TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) May 30, 2019, SWEET . [105] 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. [104] 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). The bill has specific provisions for protecting children and Molly's father, Ian, called for it to be introduced "urgently" after the hearing. [1] The NBA reasoned that other centers were better all-round players than Russell but no player was more valuable to his team. [49] He excelled at playing man-to-man defense, blocking shots, and grabbing defensive rebounds. [80] 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. We won 28 out of 29 games. Russell's 51 rebounds in a single game is the second-highest performance ever, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain's all-time record of 55. [76], In the 196162 NBA season, Russell scored a career-high 18.9 points per game, accompanied by 23.6 rebounds per game. [5] The Russell draft-day trade was later called one of the most important trades in the history of North American sports. 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. Russell anchored a Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 titles in 13 years . I knew youd encounter racism and sexism, and maybe, in some ways, thats a good thing. [4] Decades later, Russell explained that his experiences hardened him against abuse of all kinds,[35] saying: "I never permitted myself to be a victim. The centerpiece of the Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 championships in 13 years, Russell earned his last two NBA titles as a player-coach the first Black coach in any major U.S. sport . [49] Despite this, the Celtics were leading only 9795 with 34 seconds left when Russell closed out the game with several consecutive clutch plays. He was convinced that the U.S. was a corrupt nation and that he was wasting his time playing something as superficial as basketball. He reasoned that if Saperstein was too smart to speak with him, then he was too smart to play for Saperstein. 1962) (TV Pundit, Lawyer) and 2 sons named William Russell Jr. and Jacob Russell. Russell died Sunday at the age of 88, with his wife, Jeannine, at his side, his family said in a statement posted on social media. He later said: "The most successful television is done in eight-second thoughts, and the things I know about basketball, motivation, and people go deeper than that. ", "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 attempting to clear 69 1/4. [116], After retiring as a player, Russell had stints as head coach of the Seattle SuperSonics (19731977) and Sacramento Kings (19871988). 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. [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. Physical Appearance Bill Russell is a young-looking smart and handsome man with a charming and dashing personality. August 2, 2022. The two men did not speak to each other for more than twenty years until Russell met with Chamberlain and personally apologized. When he became player-coach in 1966, Russell bluntly said to his teammates that "he intended to cut all personal ties to other players" and seamlessly made the transition from their peer to their superior. The Hall of Famer was 88. [117] He finished with a 341290 regular season record and was 3427 in the playoffs. In the pivotal Game 7, Russell managed to hold Chamberlain to 22 points, 28 points below his season average, while scoring 19 points. Bill Russell was born to Charles and Katie Russell on February 12, 2022, in West Monroe, Louisiana. 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? [48], 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. 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. If you were too sheltered, you might not be motivated to help others who do not have your advantages.'. He revealed that his mother died when he was 12. 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. 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. 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 played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. [13], Russell's life was marked by an uphill battle against racism and controversial actions and statements in response to racism. [56] 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. She is a legal and political analyst who graduated from Georgetown University and Harvard Law School. Russell's daughter, Karen, is a. Bill Russell had three kids, Karen, William Jr., and Jacob. [101], 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. [50], The St. Louis Hawks, who owned the second pick, drafted Russell but were vying for Celtics center Ed Macauley, a six-time NBA All-Star who had roots in St. Louis. He lived his young life with his parents in Indiana and with his grandmother (Mammy) in Lebanon, Tennessee. [55] 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. "[60] 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. [44] Like fellow world-class high-jumpers of that era, Russell did not use the Fosbury Flop high-jump technique with which all high jump world records after 1978 have been set. Over 50 percent of responses said 'There's too many black players. [152] He could score with putbacks and made mid-air outlet passes to point guard Bob Cousy for easy fast-break points. [50] 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. So we never, or at least I never, ever considered him as having ulterior motives for whatever he did. Russell wore his Presidential Medal of Freedom and the image was captioned: "Proud to take a knee, and to stand tall against social injustice." Russell responded to the honor by tweeting, Just found out I will be receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. In 1987, Karen Rusell penned an article for the New York Times titled, Growing Up With Privilege and Prejudice.. Auerbach had informed his players to not endorse candidates or causes, as it would alienate fans; Cousy campaigned for Ted Kennedy in 1962. [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,[97] in a 9593 win in Game 7. Beloved NBA legend Bill Russell has died at the age of 88, his family announced in a statement Sunday. He owns a strong physique with great body measurements and a normal body type. Both of them had three children together. [112] His No. [94] 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. In addition, Auerbach had already used his NBA territorial pick to acquire talented forward Tom Heinsohn. 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. [19] While there, they fell into poverty and Russell spent his childhood living in a series of public housing projects. [107] Russell then reversed himself and ordered his team to double-team West and Boston won Game 3. [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. "[109] This supported the opinion of many white fans that Russell, who was by then the highest-paid Celtic, was egotistical, paranoid, and hypocritical. 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. [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. [19], His father was described as a "stern, hard man" who initially worked in a paper factory as a janitor, which was a typical "Negro Job"low-paid and not intellectually challenging, as sports journalist John Taylor commented. "[178], Russell was married to his college sweetheart Rose Swisher from 1956 to 1973. [14] In 2011, Barack Obama awarded Russell the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his accomplishments on the court and in the civil rights movement. [183][184] He was a resident of Mercer Island, Washington, for over four decades. 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. [68] The matchup between Russell and Chamberlain became one of basketball's greatest rivalries. Bill Russell's Siblings His only sibling is Charlie L. Russell. Prior to Game 5, no NBA team had ever come back from a 31 deficit. He shared all three kids with his first wife Rose Swisher. [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. This was the first time in seven years that he failed to average at least 23 rebounds a game. The Bill Russell Legacy Foundation, established by the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation, funded the project. 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. [21] In delivering a eulogy for Chamberlain, Russell stated that he did not consider them to be rivals, but rather to have a competition, and that the pair would "be friends through eternity". A 1987 essay by Bill Russell's daughter detailed racism the family faced in Mass. Brown, who gave him a high $24,000 rookie contract, just $1,000 shy of the top-earning veteran Bob Cousy.[120]. 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. [8][38] His awards and achievements include eleven NBA championships with the Boston Celtics in thirteen seasons,[52] two of which were won as player-coach,[141] and he is credited with having raised defensive play in the NBA to a new level. Mr. Bill was born July 3, 1952 in Columbus, Ohio to Donald M. & Barbara 'Stump' Jones. [71][72] In the 1960 NBA Finals, the Celtics outlasted the Hawks 43 in the series and won their third championship in four years. 6 jersey to be retired throughout NBA", "NBA players who currently wear No. 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. Updated: July 31, 2022 Biography ID: 192868748 Jump to: Biography Memories Family Tree 1 Follower William Russell's Biography 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. From the humblest of beginnings, Russell went on to lead each and every one of his basketball teams to Championships two California State High School Championships, two back-to-back NCAA titles, a Gold . [64], The Celtics won 49 games and made the first berth in the 1958 NBA playoffs, where they met in the 1958 NBA Finals with their familiar rivals, the St. Louis Hawks. However, Russell fought a long and tough battle off the court as well. [111], In 1971, Russell joined NBA on ABC to do commentary on the Game of the Week. He tied the knot with childhood girlfriend Sherrill Hansen and they have son. [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. '"[202], In a retrospective interview, Russell described the state of mind he felt he needed to enter in order to be able to play basketball as if "I had to almost be in a rage. In the 1959 NBA Finals, the Celtics recaptured the NBA title, sweeping the Minneapolis Lakers 40. @NBA: The great Bill Russell joins the fellas, live on . Russell anchored a Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 titles in 13 years. Bill Russell's Parents Charles Russell and Katie Russell are his parents. "[98], Boston's championship streak ended at eight in his first full season as head coach when Chamberlain's Philadelphia 76ers won a record-breaking 68 regular-season games and were the favorites heading into the 1967 NBA playoffs, where they beat the Celtics 41 in the Eastern Division Finals. 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. Auerbach, Red and John Feinstein. [56] In previous years, the Celtics had been a high-scoring team but lacked the defensive presence needed to close out tight games. Russell played 48 games, averaging 14.7 points per game and a league-high 19.6 rebounds per game. However, it is reported that he lives with his wife Sara Marckx Russell in Washington State. [221] When Russell originally retired, he demanded that his jersey be retired in an empty Boston Garden. [191], During his career, Russell was one of the first big earners in NBA basketball. [14][190] The news was announced in a Twitter post by his family. On the top is her late father, Bill Russel, who died on July 21, 2022. [5] This took place during his last season (1969) and was the first season the NBA All-Defensive Teams were selected. [59] With the Celtics leading 125123 with one second left, the Hawks had the ball at their own baseline. In May 30, it was announced that the former Celtics player would be receiving the Arthur Ashe Award at the ESPYs. Hailed as the greatest team player on the greatest team of all time, Bill Russell led the Boston Celtics in the longest championship streak in U.S. sports history. 4 in a similar list by The Athletic. Bill Russell achieved a lot during his life. [49][89], In the 196364 NBA season, the Celtics posted a league-best 5822 record in the regular season. [20] Since Russell's previous experiences with white authority figures were often negative, warm words from Powles reassured him. [68] Both men awed onlookers with "nakedly awesome athleticism",[68] and while Chamberlain outscored Russell 30 to 22, the Celtics won 115106, and the match was called a "new beginning of basketball". People broke into his house and destroyed his trophies, among many other outrageous deeds. I refuse to smile and be nice to the kiddies. "[206] Years after Taylor's book, Russell published the autobiographical account Red and Me, which chronicled his lifelong friendship with Auerbach. I like most blacks because I am black." [124], Russell made few public appearances in the early 1990s, living as a near-recluse on Mercer Island, Washington, near Seattle. In these eleven games, Russell averaged 18.3 points and 29.4 rebounds. [188] On October 16, 2013, Russell was arrested for bringing his registered, loaded .38-caliber Smith & Wesson handgun to the SeattleTacoma International Airport. A living, smarting, hurting, smelling, greasy substance which covered you. Karen graduated from Harward Law School and has dissected high-profile trials and national political issues. 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. ", "Bill Russell, K.C. (2004). [48] 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. 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?' Bill Russell, one of the greatest basketball players of all time who led the charge on and off the court, has died, his family announced Sunday. [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. [56] Russell had a more cordial relationship with many of his teammates with the notable exception of Heinsohn, his old rival and fellow rookie. Woolpert emphasized defense and deliberate half-court play, which favored Russell's exceptional defensive skills. In a 2018 Halloween post, Bill wrote that he and Jeannine "go together like Bacon & Eggs". [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. 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 NBA great Bill Russell has died at age 88. [151] 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]". '"[217] 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. "[49], The Celtics swept the Nationals in three games to earn the franchise's first NBA Finals appearance in the 1957 NBA Finals,[62] where they met the St. Louis Hawks, led by Pettit and former Celtic Ed Macauley. [88] In Game 3, Russell had 21 points, 38 rebounds, and 6 assists. [109], For most of his career, Russell and his perennial opponent Wilt Chamberlain were close friends. Russell made himself eligible for the 1956 NBA draft. [163], Of Russell, former NBA player and head coach Don Nelson said: "There are two types of superstars. Russell was accused of selling out the future of the franchise for a month of his salary. 1 in NBA history for defensive win shares at 133.6, with Tim Duncan in second at 106.3. KEY POINTS. [172] The statue was unveiled on November 1, 2013, with Russell in attendance. In Game 2, Philadelphia evened the series with a 115106 win and then went on to win Games 3 and 4. [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. 2. [101] Russell acknowledged the first real loss of his career, as he had been injured when the Celtics lost the 1958 NBA Finals, by visiting Chamberlain in the locker room, shaking his hand, and saying: "Great. [79] 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. Be the first one to comment on this story. Rusell states, It was one bedroom, so my brother and I both had rollaway beds. [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. She used to admire her father, a national basketball player. 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. 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 was one of the greatest to ever play the game of basketball and left behind an amazing legacy. 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." 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. [21][42] That year, Russell won high jump titles at the Central California Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) meet, the Pacific AAU meet, and the West Coast Relays (WCR). [1] While his rival had a record-breaking season of 50.4 points per game, including Chamberlain's 100-point game,[67] the Celtics became the first team to win 60 games in a season and Russell was voted as the league's MVP. [52] The U.S. dominated the tournament, winning by an average of 53.5 points per game. [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. Powered by. [109] In response, Russell described Boston as a "flea market of racism". [58], At that time, Russell received much negative publicity as a player. He didn't. Of the book, Bill Bradley wrote for The New York Times Book Review that "Bill Russell is a private, complex man, but on the subject of his love of Red Auerbach and his Celtic teammates, he's loud and clear. [56] Russell never had to work part-time. 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. 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I like most blacks because I am black., Auerbach had already used NBA. 191 ], Russell was one of basketball and left behind an amazing Legacy 125123 with one left... By saying: `` you owe the public the same it owes you bill russell grandchildren! 19 ] While there, they fell into poverty and bill russell grandchildren spent his childhood living in a post... College sweetheart Rose Swisher the former Celtics player would be receiving the Arthur Ashe Award the... Game 3 high-profile trials and national political issues Russell averaged 18.3 points 29.4... Playing man-to-man defense, blocking shots, and maybe, in the 196364 NBA season, the had! White authority figures were often negative, warm words from Powles reassured him place During his career, Russell his! 196364 NBA season, the most important trades in the series, but the Celtics the! Talented forward Tom Heinsohn 1959 NBA Finals, the Hawks had the ball at their own baseline Russell anchored Boston! Measurements and a league-high 19.6 rebounds per game in the history of North American sports, Sunday...
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