"We send our deepest condolences to his wife, Jeannine, his family and his many friends." His family said that arrangements for Russell's memorial service will be announced in the coming days. [208] He was livid with Russell and saw him as a backstabber. [52] The U.S. dominated the tournament, winning by an average of 53.5 points per game. [123] In 1985, former Celtic teammate Don Chaney, who was head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, asked Russell to tutor Benoit Benjamin, the third overall draft pick from Creighton University, who left after his junior season; according to Chaney, Russell did not get paid for it. Russell anchored a Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 titles in 13 years. Still, there was constantly a flow of people from Louisiana that my father would let stay with us. [19] In another incident, Russell's mother was walking outside in a fancy dress when a white policeman accosted her. If you were too sheltered, you might not be motivated to help others who do not have your advantages.'. He retired in 1969 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame six years later. [109] 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. [107] It was so surprising that Auerbach was blindsided and made the mistake of drafting guard Jo Jo White instead of a center. 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. [6][7][8][9] Standing at 6ft 10in (2.08m) tall, with a 7ft 4in (2.24m) arm span,[10][11] his shot-blocking and man-to-man defense were major reasons for the Celtics' dominance during his career. Boston then beat the Los Angeles Lakers 42 in the 1968 NBA Finals, giving Russell his tenth title in twelve years. FILE - Boston Celtics legendary player Bill Russell is greeted at his seat before Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers . [147][148], In his first NBA full season (195758), Russell became the first player in NBA history to average more than 20 rebounds per game for an entire season, a feat he accomplished ten times in his thirteen seasons. In his first playoff game, Russell finished with 16 points and 31 rebounds, along with 7 reported blocks, which were not yet an officially registered statistic. [49] Despite this, the Celtics were leading only 9795 with 34 seconds left when Russell closed out the game with several consecutive clutch plays. [156], On August 11, 2022, it was announced that Russell's No. [106], 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. In Game 4, the Celtics were trailing by one point with seven seconds left and the Lakers had the ball until Baylor stepped out of bounds. 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). By Amanda Kaufman Globe Staff, Updated August 1, 2022, 3:42 p.m. Boston Celtics player-coach Bill Russell. He tied the knot with childhood girlfriend Sherrill Hansen and they have son. Boston Celtics fans say Bill Russell was so much more than a basketball star. [109] In response, Russell described Boston as a "flea market of racism". Powered by. The Hall of Famer was 88. People broke into his house and destroyed his trophies, among many other outrageous deeds. [90][91] It was their sixth consecutive and seventh title in Russell's eight years with the team, a streak unreached in any U.S. professional sports league. Russell was also known as a pioneer in the fight for civil rights, marching with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and speaking out about his treatment as a Black player in a city and country where race was often a flash point. [118] Russell then served as general manager of the Kings during the 198889 season. However, Russell fought a long and tough battle off the court as well. Woolpert emphasized defense and deliberate half-court play, which favored Russell's exceptional defensive skills. [99] Russell became the first black head coach in NBA history,[5] and he commented to journalists: "I wasn't offered the job because I am a Negro, I was offered it because Red figured I could do it. [159] In 2009, Slam named him the third best player of all-time behind Jordan and Chamberlain. Bill Cosby's daughter Ensa was buried at the comedian's family compound outside Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts on Wednesday. I averaged over 20 points and over 20 rebounds, and I was the only guy in college blocking shots. Posted at 11:33 AM, Jul 31, 2022. and last updated 3:37 PM, Jul 31, 2022. [49], Russell was considered the consummate defensive center, noted for his defensive intensity, basketball IQ, and will to win. 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. [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. [88] In Game 3, Russell had 21 points, 38 rebounds, and 6 assists. She was born on January 20, 1962. [154] In 1970, The Sporting News named Russell the "Athlete of the Decade". Reserve forward Alex Hannum threw a long alley-oop pass to Pettit and Pettit's tip-in rolled indecisively on the rim for several seconds before rolling out again. [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. Russell was born on February 12, 1934, to Charles Russell and Katie Russell in West Monroe, Louisiana.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. [104] 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. [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. [20] When World War II broke out, the elder Russell became a truck driver. Tune in July 10, this is a special honor! 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. Born on November 2, 1957, in Melrose, Massachusetts, William Felton Russell Jr. worked for Cox Trucking for several years. Bill Russell American baseball player and coach. After much debate, Auerbach agreed to give up Hagan and the Hawks made the trade. But there's another type who makes the players around him look better than they are, and that's the type Russell was. While in Oakland he was very poor but became a skillful basketball player. NBA legend Bill Russell, an 11-time NBA champion with the Boston Celtics and the first Black head coach in the league, passed away "peacefully" Sunday, according to a family statement from. A living, smarting, hurting, smelling, greasy substance which covered you. Russell made himself eligible for the 1956 NBA draft. [50] Auerbach later said that Brown offered Harrison guaranteed performances of the Ice Capades if they did not draft Russell; it is difficult to verify or disprove this, but it is clear that the Royals underrated Russell. UCLA Bruins coach John Wooden called Russell "the greatest defensive man I've ever seen". She is a legal and political analyst who graduated from Georgetown University and Harvard Law School. 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. Both Cousy and Russell called it the greatest Celtics team of all-time. [135] 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. When the Sixers' Hall-of-Fame guard Hal Greer inbounded, Havlicek stole the ball, causing Celtics commentator Johnny Most to scream: "Havlicek stole the ball! -~-~~-~~~-~~-~- 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. The relationship between the two was tenuous at best. Prior to Game 5, no NBA team had ever come back from a 31 deficit. In the 1959 NBA Finals, the Celtics recaptured the NBA title, sweeping the Minneapolis Lakers 40. [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. [107], 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. [107], Days later, 30,000 Celtics fans cheered their returning heroes. The NBA great Bill Russell has died at age 88. [1] The NBA reasoned that other centers were better all-round players than Russell but no player was more valuable to his team. [111], In 1971, Russell joined NBA on ABC to do commentary on the Game of the Week. [61] 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. Bill Russell achieved a lot during his life. Bill Russell, professional basketball's first Black superstar who reinvented the center position with the 1950s and '60s Boston Celtics, has died. [71][72] In the 1960 NBA Finals, the Celtics outlasted the Hawks 43 in the series and won their third championship in four years. Russell. At the age of 9 he moved to Oakland. Later, hoping to better the family's . Because Russell ignored virtually any well-wisher who approached him home or away, including the vast majority of media, his autograph was among the most difficult to secure of any professional athlete of his time. And that's the kind of guy [Brown] was. 1 choice has to be Bill Russell. Their 4834 record was the team's worst since the 195556 NBA season and they entered the 1969 NBA playoffs as the fourth-seeded team in the East. He has three children named Jacob Russell, William Russell Jr., and Karen Russell. My wife and Russell's laugh. Bill marched with Martin Luther King Jr. when he delivered his "I Have a Dream . [56] In previous years, the Celtics had been a high-scoring team but lacked the defensive presence needed to close out tight games. [45][46] He also competed in the 440 yards (402.3m) race, which he could complete in 49.6 seconds. He had invested $250,000 in a rubber plantation in Liberia, where he had wanted to spend his retirement, but it went bankrupt. [80][81] Russell finished with a clutch performance, scoring 30 points, along with 4 assists,[82] and tying his own NBA Finals record with 40 rebounds in a 110107 overtime win. Russell's stint with the Kings was considerably shorter, his last assignment ending when the Kings went 1741 to begin the 198788 NBA season. Jones. 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. [109] Russell was also notorious for his refusal to give autographs or acknowledge the Celtics fans, and was called "the most selfish, surly and uncooperative athlete" by one pundit. [56] This skill allowed the other Celtics to play their men aggressively; if they were beaten, they knew that Russell was guarding the basket. Russell, a longtime Mercer Island resident died on Sunday at the age of 88. "[200], Russell was driven by "a neurotic need to win", as his Celtic teammate Tom Heinsohn observed. He was voted the NBA Most Valuable Player but only named to the All-NBA Second Team, something that would occur repeatedly throughout his career, as players voted for the MVP award, something that would last until the 197980 NBA season, while the media has always voted for the All-NBA teams. Celtics owner Walter A. In 1987, Karen Rusell penned an article for the New York Times titled, Growing Up With Privilege and Prejudice.. [135] He was named as a 2010 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Updated: July 31, 2022 Biography ID: 192868748 Jump to: Biography Memories Family Tree 1 Follower William Russell's Biography [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. 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. [142][155] Russell is universally seen as one of the best NBA players ever,[5] and he was declared "Greatest Player in the History of the NBA" by the Professional Basketball Writers Association of America in 1980. 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. They were happily wed until 1973. Be the first one to comment on this story. [76], In the 196162 NBA season, Russell scored a career-high 18.9 points per game, accompanied by 23.6 rebounds per game. Tonights event will be hosted by Tracy Morgan, and will air live on ABC from 7-10pm ET from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. [153] He was selected three times to the All-NBA First Teams (1959, 1963, 1965) and eight Second Teams (1958, 196062, 1964, 196668), and was a 12-time NBA All-Star (19581969). [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,[83] the Celtics were to tour the White House and Russell had a "Do not disturb" sign on his phone. [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. "[22], During his early years, Russell struggled to develop his skills as a basketball player. ", "Bill Russell, K.C. Bill Russell's daughter, Karen, was born in 1962. [58], At that time, Russell received much negative publicity as a player. William Felton Russell Jr., also known as "Buddha," lost a courageous battle with cancer. As a freshman at McClymonds High School in Oakland,[23][24] Russell was almost cut again;[25] as he saw Russell's raw athletic potential, coach George Powles encouraged him to work on his fundamentals. Mr. Russell has a large family and a large number of friends who are proud of him for his services to society. [161] In 2022, he was ranked No. [70] Boston won a then-record 59 regular-season games, including a then-record tying 17-game win streak. That did not happen My junior year in college, I had what I thought was the one of the best college seasons ever. The youngest son of the NBA legend hasn't led a very public life, which is why there isn't much information about him. Ensa, 44, died of renal failure on Friday, leaving behind a husband and . is LYING to you. [19] Russell's father was once refused service at a gas station until the staff had taken care of all the white customers first. Many people thought that Russell was more important even though he had only played half the season. Early. Jacob H. Russell was born on July 6, 1959. The Celtics won, earning their first NBA championship. When Chamberlain died in 1999, Chamberlain's nephew said that Russell was the second person he was told to call. Over the course of his life, Rusell played 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics, during which time he took home 11 championships titles with the team. The couple grew emotionally distant and divorced. "[197] 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." Bill Russell Receives the 2017 NBA Lifetime Achievement Award | NBA on TNT. Karen graduated from Harward Law School and has dissected high-profile trials and national political issues. 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). BOSTON (AP) 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 U.S. sport and marched for civil rights with Martin Luther King Jr., died Sunday. A morass to fight from. 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. 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. [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. [189] He was issued a citation and released, and the Transportation Security Administration indicated it would levy a civil penalty, which would be between $3,000 and $7,500. In an interview with ESPN, Russell said he wanted the NFL players to know they were not alone. [98] On April 16, 1966, Russell agreed to become head coach of the Celtics, and a public announcement was made two days later. The NBA legend was a victim of racism, and not even his basketball fame helped him. In 1975, he was inducted into the basketball hall of fame. In the pivotal Game 7, Russell managed to hold Chamberlain to 22 points, 28 points below his season average, while scoring 19 points. [112] His No. 1962) (TV Pundit, Lawyer) and 2 sons named William Russell Jr. and Jacob Russell. July 31, 2022 1:27pm. Charlie was an actor known for his play, Five on the black hand side. [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]". 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. [34] Even after he became a star with the Celtics, Russell was the victim of racial abuse. He was born on November 2, 1957 and worked for Cox Trucking for several years. [56] 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. In Game 6, Russell recorded his first career triple-double with 19 points, 24 rebounds, and 10 assists as the Celtics won 119105. Sportskeeda's best Risk-Free bets from legal Sportsbooks. [5] Russell was known as one of the most clutch players in the NBA. And I could anticipate every move that every player made. Russell, who once said he owed the public nothing,[109] was not there; he ended his career and cut all ties to the Celtics. 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. [115] 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. [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. [14][190] The news was announced in a Twitter post by his family. In 2014, after the unveiling of his statue at City Hall in Boston, Russell spoke a bit about his parents and what his life was like growing up. 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. The family of William 'Mr. Bill' Russell Jones is sad to announce his passing. [49] 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. August 2, 2022. The 11-time NBA champion had been dealing with health issues in recent years, sources said. [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). If that isn't goaltending, I want somebody to tell me what it is. He owns a strong physique with great body measurements and a normal body type. [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. "[5] After the Division Finals, the Celtics had an easier time in the NBA Finals,[95] winning 41 against the Los Angeles Lakers. [119] In addition, Russell ran into financial trouble. ", "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. 6 in ESPN's NBA 75th Anniversary Team list,[162] and No. Bill answered, I played for the Celtics, period I did not play for Boston. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award, List of National Basketball Association annual minutes leaders, List of National Basketball Association annual rebounding leaders, List of National Basketball Association career minutes played leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff rebounding leaders, List of National Basketball Association career rebounding leaders, List of National Basketball Association longest winning streaks, List of National Basketball Association single-game rebounding leaders, List of National Basketball Association rookie single-season rebounding leaders, List of National Basketball Association single-season rebounding leaders, List of NBA players with most championships, List of NCAA Division I men's basketball career rebounding leaders, "Bill Russell, Henri Richard Famous Elevens Gallery", "195356 NCAA Championship Seasons: The Bill Russell Years", "Bill Russell's Trailblazing Legacy Is Secure (Even If Stats Can't Measure It)", "Bill Russell Is A Champion By Defintion [sic]", "Where does Bill Russell rank among best centers in NBA history? 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