[100] During the series, Russell said: "Right now, he (Wilt) is playing like me [to win]. By Bay City News and NBC Bay Area staff Published July 31, 2022 Updated on August 1, 2022 at 1:20 am. He wrote these words after recounting how grandfather Jake Russell had stood up to the Ku Klux Klan and other whites who attempted to thwart his efforts to build a schoolhouse for black children; his grandfather was the first person in Russell's patrilineal line born free in North America and was himself illiterate. Following Chamberlain's death in October 1999, Russell returned to prominence at the turn of the millennium. Russell used his popularity to fight for civil rights and help others who were in a similar situation. 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. [163], Of Russell, former NBA player and head coach Don Nelson said: "There are two types of superstars. [60], The Celtics finished the 195657 regular season with a 4428 record, the team's second-best record since beginning play in the 194647 BAA season, which guaranteed Russell his first NBA playoffs appearance,[61] where the Celtics met with the Syracuse Nationals, a team led by Dolph Schayes, through the Eastern Division Finals. Russell made himself eligible for the 1956 NBA draft. Jones. I could hear anything, I could see anything, and nothing mattered. [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. [19], During World War II, the Second Great Migration began, as large numbers of blacks were moving to the West to look for work there. [65] 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. He lost his mother when he was just 12 years old. "Bill's wife, Jeannine, and his many friends and family thank you . [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. We didnt have much, but there is something my father said: It is not what you give, but what you share, for the gift without the giver is bare. My fathers philosophy was, Always share what I have., Bill Russell Kids & Family: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. 18 on ESPN's "50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th Century" list in 1999. Bill Russell got married to his girlfriend, Rose Swisher in the year 1956. [189], Russell died at his Mercer Island, Washington, home on July 31, 2022, at the age of 88. 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 . He was a standout in the high jump and according to Track & Field News was ranked the seventh-best high-jumper in the world in 1956, his graduation year, despite not competing in Olympic high-jump competition. In May 30, it was announced that the former Celtics player would be receiving the Arthur Ashe Award at the ESPYs. [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. 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. [96], Celtics coach Red Auerbach retired before the 196667 NBA season. Rose Swisher (1956-1973) - Bill began dating his college acquaintance Rose Swisher in 1956, his senior year in college. 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. [19] In another incident, Russell's mother was walking outside in a fancy dress when a white policeman accosted her. Updated. Tonight, Bull Russell will receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2019 ESPYs. He led USF to NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956, including a string of 55 consecutive victories, and an unofficial double triple-double with 26 points, 27 rebounds, 20 blocks, 3 steals, and an assist. One of his highest jumps occurred at the WCR, where he achieved a mark of .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}6feet 9+14inches (2.06m);[43] at the meet, Russell tied Charlie Dumas, who would later in the year win gold in the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia for the United States and become the first person to high-jump 7 feet (2.13m). She used to admire her father, a national basketball player. [45][46] He also competed in the 440 yards (402.3m) race, which he could complete in 49.6 seconds. When the reporter asked how, Russell responded: "Because the most important factor is respect. [76], In the 196162 NBA season, Russell scored a career-high 18.9 points per game, accompanied by 23.6 rebounds per game. . This was the first time in seven years that he failed to average at least 23 rebounds a game. According to one figure closely involved in the. [107] Russell then reversed himself and ordered his team to double-team West and Boston won Game 3. That's the first thing Walter Brown said to Chuck Cooper. "[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. The burglars had poured beer on the pool table and ripped up the felt," Karen wrote in the . [191], During his career, Russell was one of the first big earners in NBA basketball. But as her wife was white they got divorced in 1980. Both of them had three children together. To coach the Celtics, he had initially wanted his old player Frank Ramsey, who was too occupied running his three lucrative nursing homes. 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. "[203] Russell was also known for his natural authority. Bill Russell siblings [78] At that time, he became the fourth player in Celtics history to have a triple-double, joining Macauley, Cousy, and K. C. With a flair for defense never before seen on a basketball court, allied with an uncanny ability to excel under pressure and an indomitable will to win, Russell dominated the game of basketball from his earliest days as a student . He also served a three-season (196669) stint as player-coach for the Celtics, becoming the first black coach in the NBA and the first to win a championship. Basketball: NBA Playoffs, Boston Celtics Bill Russell in action vs New York Knicks, Game 6, Cover, Boston, MA 4/18/1969 [205], Russell was known for his distinctive high-pitched laugh, of which Auerbach quipped: "There are only two things that could make me quit coaching. Russell limited Chamberlain to only two shot attempts in the second half. The champion marched with Martin Luther King for civil rights. Here's what we know about his kids and family. The two men did not speak to each other for more than twenty years until Russell met with Chamberlain and personally apologized. [118] Russell then served as general manager of the Kings during the 198889 season. Jacob H. Russell was born on July 6, 1959 and lives in Renton, Washington with his 44-year-old wife Sara Marckx Russell. [140], Russell is one of the most successful and decorated athletes in North American sports history. Karen graduated from Harward Law School and has dissected high-profile trials and national political issues. His 1956 rookie contract was worth $24,000 (equivalent to $239,207 in 2021), only fractionally smaller than the $25,000 of top earner and teammate Bob Cousy. 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. [156] Russell ranked No. [111], In 1971, Russell joined NBA on ABC to do commentary on the Game of the Week. [107] It was so surprising that Auerbach was blindsided and made the mistake of drafting guard Jo Jo White instead of a center. 6 was retired in 1972; he also refused to attend his induction into the Hall of Fame in 1975. He had a difficult childhood and grew up in poverty. [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. He was 88. He was born on November 2, 1957 and worked for Cox Trucking for several years. In 1975, he was inducted into the basketball hall of fame. Heinsohn felt that Russell resented him because the former was named the 1957 NBA Rookie of the Year. 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. Russell anchored a Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 titles in 13 years . [109] Journalists were often treated to the "Russell Glower", described as an "icily contemptuous stare accompanied by a long silence". The Celtics won, earning their first NBA championship. '"[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. Both Cousy and Russell called it the greatest Celtics team of all-time. The Bill Russell Legacy Foundation, established by the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation, funded the project. 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. [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. She is a legal and political analyst who graduated from Georgetown University and Harvard Law School. I averaged over 20 points and over 20 rebounds, and I was the only guy in college blocking shots. Russell played 48 games, averaging 14.7 points per game and a league-high 19.6 rebounds per game. 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 . He was notorious for his public surliness and judgmental attitude towards others. [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. [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. [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. The Celtics rallied back, winning Game 5 122104 and Game 6 114106, powered by a spirited Havlicek and helped by a terrible Sixers shooting slump. When their family uprooted to Oakland, California, they lived in the projects. 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. At 18 he went to college, at San Francisco, where he won two NCAA Championships in 1955 and 1956. [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. He shared all three kids with his first wife Rose Swisher. 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. [209] After that, the two were often seen together at various events and interviewed as friends. [56] This skill allowed the other Celtics to play their men aggressively; if they were beaten, they knew that Russell was guarding the basket. [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. [114] He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975. After the next provocation, Russell pounded Felix to the point of unconsciousness, paid a modest $25 fine, and rarely was the target of cheap fouls thereafter. In addition to his career accomplishments, Russell was a prominent human rights activist in sports. I refuse to smile and be nice to the kiddies. Bill Russell, the intimidating center who rejected layups and bigotry with equal authority while leading the Boston Celtics to pro basketball's greatest dynasty, died Sunday, his family . When Chamberlain died in 1999, Chamberlain's nephew said that Russell was the second person he was told to call. "[109][206] When his white Celtics teammate Frank Ramsey asked whether he hated him, Russell stated that he had been misquoted but few believed it. [109] In response, Russell described Boston as a "flea market of racism". Karen appears frequently on CNN, MSNBC, and TruTV as a legal and political analyst. He said: "The Celtics were the first [NBA basketball] team to draft a black player, period: a guy named Chuck Cooper from Duquesne. Auerbach knew that the Rochester Royals, who owned the first draft pick, already had a strong rebounder in Maurice Stokes, were looking for an outside shooting guard, and were unwilling to pay Russell the $25,000 signing bonus he requested. "[101] The game still ended on a high note for Russell. One makes himself look good at the expense of the other guys on the floor. (2004). [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. [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. [1] The NBA reasoned that other centers were better all-round players than Russell but no player was more valuable to his team. He reasoned that if Saperstein was too smart to speak with him, then he was too smart to play for Saperstein. "[22], During his early years, Russell struggled to develop his skills as a basketball player. [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 later recalled: "To play good defense it was told back then that you had to stay flatfooted at all times to react quickly. [21] Of Russell the college basketball player, Mikan said: "Let's face it, he's the best ever. Bill Russell had three kids, Karen, William Jr., and Jacob. He later commented that he would have participated in the high jump if he had been snubbed by the basketball team. Bill Russell parents Russell was born on February 12, 1934, to Charles Russell and Katie Russell in West Monroe, Louisiana. At the age of 9 he moved to Oakland. Russell's family said in a. During a press conference, Russell was asked: "As the first Negro head coach in a major league sport, can you do the job impartially without any racial prejudice in reverse?" Russell's daughter, Karen, is a. [222] He thanked Chamberlain for taking him to the limit and "making [him] a better player", and the crowd for "allowing [him] to be a part of their lives. [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". Birth Place: [13], Russell's life was marked by an uphill battle against racism and controversial actions and statements in response to racism. At age 35, Russell contributed with 6 points, 21 rebounds, and 6 assists in his last NBA game. [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. [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. He was 88. The fans could do or think whatever they wanted. [208], Chamberlain's knee was injured so badly that he could not play the entire offseason and he ruptured it the next season. The owner of the Hawks called Auerbach later and demanded more in the trade. [157][158] In 2007, he was voted the third best center of all-time by ESPN behind Abdul-Jabbar and Chamberlain. [103], In Game 7, 15,202 Philadelphia fans witnessed a home-team 10096 defeat, making it the first time in NBA history a team lost a series after leading 31. In a statement, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said that Russell was "the greatest champion in all of team sports". 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 . The youngest son of the NBA legend hasn't led a very public life, which is why there isn't much information about him. @NBA: The great Bill Russell joins the fellas, live on . He revealed that his mother died when he was 12. [186], In 1959, Russell became the first NBA player to visit Africa. Russell died on Sunday at the age of 88 with his wife Jeannine by his side, his family said in a statement on Twitter. People broke into his house and destroyed his trophies, among many other outrageous deeds. Prior to Game 5, no NBA team had ever come back from a 31 deficit. [15], Russell was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975, was one of the founding inductees into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006 and was enshrined in the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2007. [130] On June 18, 2007, Russell was inducted as a member of the founding class of the FIBA Hall of Fame. [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. Russell, who had a difficult relationship with the media, did not attend either ceremony. Bill Russell has three children. Bill was born in Milltown, Tennessee on April 14, 1942. "[200], Russell was driven by "a neurotic need to win", as his Celtic teammate Tom Heinsohn observed. [131][132] In 2008, Russell received the Golden Plate Award of the Academy of Achievement. [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. They were together from 1956 to 1973. 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! Frank Robinson, a future member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, was one of Russell's high school basketball teammates. [185] His older brother was the noted playwright Charlie L. Russell, who once said he owed the public nothing,[109] was not there; he ended his career and cut all ties to the Celtics. I was able to separate the Celtics institution from the city and the fans. @NBATV before Game 6 of 2013 #NBAFinals. [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. [5], On February 5, 1960, Russell had 23 points, 51 rebounds, and 5 assists in a 124100 win over the Syracuse Nationals. When I sent you to Harvard, I expected you to be able to do the same. Together, Russell and Swisher had three children: daughter Karen, and sons William Jr. and Jacob. [156], On August 11, 2022, it was announced that Russell's No. 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. [69] It was the record for most rebounds in a single game until November 24, 1960, when Chamberlain grabbed 55 rebounds against Russell,[13] who led the Celtics to a 132129 win over the Philadelphia Warriors with 18 points, 19 rebounds, and 5 assists. [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. 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. "[65], In the 195859 NBA season, Russell averaged 16.7 points per game and 23.0 rebounds per game. [33], The games were often difficult for the USF squad, as Russell and his black teammates became targets of racist jeers, particularly on the road. Karen has served as the Development Director for the Robert F Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights and has also contributed to publications like The New York Times. While in Oakland he was very poor but became a skillful basketball player. Born on November 2, 1957, in Melrose, Massachusetts, William Felton Russell Jr. worked for Cox Trucking for several years. In an interview with ESPN, Russell said he wanted the NFL players to know they were not alone. Celtics owner Walter A. [159] In 2009, Slam named him the third best player of all-time behind Jordan and Chamberlain. Arthur was a man of great courage. 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. Bill Russell, the cornerstone of the Boston Celtics dynasty that won eight straight titles and 11 overall during his career, died Sunday. Russell anchored a Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 titles in 13 years. [115] He attended his 2021 induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach. [179] In 1977, he married Dorothy Anstett, Miss USA of 1968;[179] they divorced in 1980. 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. Brown, who gave him a high $24,000 rookie contract, just $1,000 shy of the top-earning veteran Bob Cousy.[120]. 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. [1] The Celtics won the 1966 NBA Finals and their eighth consecutive title. http://t.co/rFfk4qnCEb, KarenKenyattaRussell (@Karen_Russell) June 19, 2013. [169], In 2013, Boston honored Russell by erecting a statue of him on City Hall Plaza. The game was tied with two seconds left when Sam Jones sank a clutch shot that won the Celtics the series. [49], Russell was considered the consummate defensive center, noted for his defensive intensity, basketball IQ, and will to win. He married again Dorothy Anstett (Miss USA 1968) in 1977. It's all over! But there's another type who makes the players around him look better than they are, and that's the type Russell was. Russell's 51 rebounds in a single game is the second-highest performance ever, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain's all-time record of 55. August 1, 2022 9:47 AM Bill Russell discusses his views on race and being a barrier breaker in the 1960s. Russell responded to the honor by tweeting, Just found out I will be receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. [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. 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. He cherished fond memories of his childhood in the Park Cities, graduating from Highland Park High School in 1953. "[27] In an autobiographical account, Russell said that while on a California High School All-Stars tour, he became obsessed with studying and memorizing other players' moves, e.g., footwork such as which foot they moved first on which play, as preparation for defending against them, which included practicing in front of a mirror at night. Source: Vimbuzz.com I owe so much to him it's impossible to express. [49][63] 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. . On Sunday, July 31, Russell's family shared the news in a statement via Twitter, sharing . William Lane Russell (Bill), age 78 of Tunnel Hill, Georgia died unexpectedly on November 24, 2020. 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,[75] and Boston won the 1961 NBA Finals in five games. In 1975, he was inducted into the basketball hall of fame. [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,[92] along with 27 points and 6 assists. Well, Karen Kenyatta had four important members in her family. 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. 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. [188] On October 16, 2013, Russell was arrested for bringing his registered, loaded .38-caliber Smith & Wesson handgun to the SeattleTacoma International Airport. Bill Russell, an 11-time NBA champion as a player and coach with the Boston Celtics and one of the most important figures in NBA history, has died at the age of 88, his family announced. [49] On offense, Russell's output was limited and his NBA career personal averages show him to be an average scorer (15.1 points career average), a poor free-throw shooter (56.1%), and average overall shooter from the field (44%, not exceptional for a center). Bill Russell, the most prolific winner in American sports history, passed away peacefully today at age 88, with his wife, Jeannine, by his side.

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