A five-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and a 12-time NBA All-Star, he was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career. 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. Karen Russell. He was born William Felton Russell Jr. on November 2, 1957. [183] Russell was married to Jeannine Russell at the time of his death. In the interim, Russell won an Olympic gold medal in 1956. WIlliam Russell Jr. is the . [14] In 2011, Barack Obama awarded Russell the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his accomplishments on the court and in the civil rights movement. The owner of the Hawks called Auerbach later and demanded more in the trade. Bill Russell has been married on 4 different occasions but had never kept a marriage for up to 2 decades, the longest being 17 years (1956-1973) to a lady called Rose. [98] Third choice Tom Heinsohn also said no because he did not think he could handle the often surly Russell,[98] whom he proposed as a player-coach. Russell's stint with the Kings was considerably shorter, his last assignment ending when the Kings went 1741 to begin the 198788 NBA season. The first [NBA organization] to hire a black [head] coach was the Boston Celtics, and they've had at least five [black head-coaches] over the years. Karen has a B.A. Karen Russell is a legal and political expert as well as a blogger. [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). Dorothy Anstett Born: Kirkland, Washington, United States Date of birth: 1947-06-28 Spouse: Bill Russell https://t.co/T9E7sVcZUO pic.twitter.com/se6ka2URg3. In the 1960 NBA playoffs, Russell's Celtics met Chamberlain's Warriors in the Eastern Division Finals. [44] Like fellow world-class high-jumpers of that era, Russell used the straddle technique, rather than the Fosbury Flop with which all high jump world records after 1978 have been set. 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.. [49] Despite this, the Celtics were leading only 9795 with 34 seconds left when Russell closed out the game with several consecutive clutch plays. Boston Celtics Legend Bill Russell Receives the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2019 ESPYs Other spaces in the house include a media room and a recreation room. He is said to have made a conscious decision to put the team first and foremost, and not worry about individual achievements. A post shared by Bill Russell (@realbillrussell) on Oct 7, 2018 at 10:07pm PDT. Date of Death. West Coast Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year, San Francisco Dons men's basketball 195455 NCAA champions, San Francisco Dons men's basketball 195556 NCAA champions, 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? Since graduating, Karen has devoted her life to racial equality, much like her father. National tragedy struck on April 4, day of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. With eight of the ten starting players on Sixers and Celtics being black, both teams were in deep shock and there were calls to cancel the series. He was born on November 2, 1957, and spent several years working for Cox Trucking. It hence comes as no surprise the Reading Memorial High School as well as Seattle Central Community College graduate was also known as Dollar Bill for invariably helping those down on their luck. Therefore, once the latter knew he was well on his way to stability upon getting drafted by Boston Celtics in 1956 and winning gold at the Summer Olympics mere months later, they decided to marry. A post shared by Bill Russell (@realbillrussell). In a game called as "unreal" and "devoid of emotion", the Sixers lost 127118 on April 5. [209] He was livid with Russell and saw him as a backstabber. The block preserved Boston's slim 103102 lead with 40-odd seconds left to play in regulation, saving the game for the Celtics. [197], 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. Bill Russell wound up married to his second wife, Dorothy, in 1977. Russell limited Chamberlain to only two shot attempts in the second half. On February 8, 2023, she shared an Instagram post to her page, @karenkenyattarussell, in which she discussed the Netflix documentary about her father called Bill Russell: Legend. I was able to separate the Celtics institution from the city and the fans. [107] West then hit one basket after the other and cut the lead to one, and Chamberlain asked to return to the game. Bill Russell achieved a lot during his life. [25] Sports journalist John Taylor described it as a watershed event in Russell's life because he realized that basketball was his chance to escape poverty and racism, and he swore to make the best of it. Tune in July 10, this is a special honor! He is survived by his younger brother Jacob, his baby sister Karen, the love of his life Sherrill Hansen, his son Sean Tyler Russell, and two pet dogs/fur babies, Pugsley as well as Lilly. [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. [155] In 1970, The Sporting News named Russell the "Athlete of the Decade". on November 1, 2013. 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. He still holds the NBA record for rebounds in one half with 32 (vs. Philadelphia, November 16, 1957). "[165] In 2000, his longtime teammate Tom Heinsohn described both Russell's stature and his uneasy relationship with Boston more earthily, saying: "Look, all I know is the guy came to Boston and won 11 championships in 13 years, and they named a bleeping tunnel after Ted Williams. 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. equal . Russell made himself eligible for the 1956 NBA draft. Arthur was a man of great courage. "[213] Describing the Celtics organization, as distinguished from Boston sports fans in the 1950s and 1960s, as very progressive racially, Russell recalled in 2010 a list of the organization's accomplishments on racial progress both in terms of objective milestones and his own subjective experience as a member of the organization. [131] On June 18, 2007, Russell was inducted as a member of the founding class of the FIBA Hall of Fame. 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. "[109] This supported the opinion of many white fans that Russell, who was by then the highest-paid Celtic, was egotistical, paranoid, and hypocritical. July 31, 2022 1:50 PM PT. The duo shares three children together. This was the first time in seven years that he failed to average at least 23 rebounds a game. Russell died "peacefully" with . he discovered it was littered with references to him as ''an arrogant Negro who won't sign autographs for white children." His parents, Charles and Katie Russell, decided they would not raise their children in this environment. "[5] The Sixers outpaced the Celtics when they shredded the famed Boston defense by scoring 140 points in the clinching Game 5 win. [143] By winning the 1956 NCAA championship with USF and the 1957 NBA title with the Celtics,[144] 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. ", "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. Bill Russell. "[65], In the 195859 NBA season, Russell averaged 16.7 points per game and 23.0 rebounds per game. [13], Russell played in the wake of black pioneers Earl Lloyd, Chuck Cooper, and Sweetwater Clifton, and he was the first black player to achieve superstar status in the NBA. [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. I was first team All American. Your IP: She works as an attorney, corporate trainer, and political strategist, according to the Huffington Post. [98] On April 16, 1966, Russell agreed to become head coach of the Celtics, and a public announcement was made two days later. [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. However, since the Russells always preferred to keep their personal experiences well away from the limelight, we only know Bill was often affectionately, unironically referred to as Buddha.. Cooper, the Boston Celtics will never embarrass you.' She actually started by just enrolling herself in local pageants, only for it to turn into her placement as first runner-up in Miss Wahington 1967, the title of Miss Washington 1968, and finally, the title of Miss USA 1968. [19], His father was said to be 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. Russell's daughter, Karen, is a legal and political analyst, as well as a blogger. These are Karen Kenyatta Russell, William Russell Jr., and Jacob Russell. [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. [150] He also had 51 in one game, 49 in two others, and twelve straight seasons of 1,000 or more rebounds. [20] When World War II broke out, the elder Russell became a truck driver. Click to reveal [38] He became known for his strong defense and shot-blocking skills, once denying 13 shots in a game. [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. [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. Their union sadly lasted for a mere three years, and since then, it appears as if the now 75-year-old has preferred to lead a quiet life in the wonderous city of Seatle in the heart of King County. The youngest son of the NBA legend hasn't led a very public life, which is why there isn't much information about him. If you were too sheltered, you might not be motivated to help others who do not have your advantages.'. 18 on ESPN's "50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th Century" list in 1999. The children from Bill's marriage to Rose include Karen Russell, William Russel Jr., and Jacob Russell. I averaged over 20 points and over 20 rebounds, and I was the only guy in college blocking shots. On July 31, 2022, shetweeteda series of pictures with her late father, captioned: "Keanu Reeves on death, 'I know that the ones who love us will miss us.'". [70] Boston won a then-record 59 regular-season games, including a then-record tying 17-game win streak. [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. 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. [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. You are less. [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. Your login session has expired. 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. From his early childhood years, Williams Jr. was fascinated by trucks, and that is why he pursued his passion of being a driver. [5] Chamberlain said Russell's timing as a shot-blocker was unparalleled. [141], Russell is one of the most successful and decorated athletes in North American sports history. Auerbach replied that Gottlieb's statements were "absolutely ridiculous" and said any controversy was "a question of sour grapes". [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. [136] He was named as a 2010 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She has accomplished a great deal in her life. We won the National Championship. He's the guy who whipped us psychologically. 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. [59] Despite their different ethnic backgrounds and lack of common off-court interests, his relationship with Cousy was amicable. Bill Russell Personal life, Spouse & Trivia. His wife name is Jeannine Russell. I'm certainly going to ask Maurice Podoloff." 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. [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. Russell . Rest in Peace, Bill. (2004). 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. Suddenly, his grandfather broke down crying. [157], On August 11, 2022, it was announced that Russell's No. Although nearly 16 years younger than Bill Russell, Kansas native Marilyn Nault tied the knot with the basketball legend on February 17, 2000, upon meeting him sometime prior by pure chance. Russell was equally notable for his rebounding abilities, and he led the NBA in rebounds four times, had a dozen consecutive seasons of 1,000 or more rebounds,[12] and remains second all time in both total rebounds and rebounds per game. In his 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Boston Celtics, Bill Russell, who has died aged 88, won . [188] 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. Tonight, Bill Russell will receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2019 ESPYs, which honor the biggest and best stars in the world of sports. 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. . Bill Russell Wife, Girlfriend. The couple grew emotionally distant and divorced. [223] 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. His time as a non-player coach was lackluster; he led the struggling SuperSonics into the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, but Russell's defensive, team-oriented Celtics mindset did not mesh well with the team, and he left in 1977 with a 162166 record. In May 30, it was announced that the former Celtics player would be receiving the Arthur Ashe Award at the ESPYs. [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. Goudsouzian stated that a segment of the file called Russell "an arrogant Negro who won't sign autographs for white children." His brother, Charlie, was a respected playwright. . Bill Russell's family announced his demise through a statement on Sunday, July 31. Who is Bill Russell's First Wife? Born on June 28, 1947, in Kirkland, Washington, as one of nine children to an aircraft plant worker, Dorothy Catherine Anstett reportedly led a hustling and bustling life from an early age. He tied the knot with three different gals. [148][149], 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. "[30] The NCAA rewrote rules in response to Russell's dominant play; the lane was widened for his junior year. In 2010 Russell received . 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. He was selected into the NBA 25th Anniversary Team in 1971 and the NBA 35th Anniversary Team in 1980, named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996,[5] one of only four players to receive all three honors, and selected into the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. Together, Russell and Swisher had three children: daughter Karen, and sons William Jr. and Jacob. [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). [126] 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. [16] In 2021, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame a second time for his coaching career. Russell's Celtics went 5737 in the regular season against Chamberlain's teams and 2920 in the playoffs, Chamberlain's losing seven of the eight series. He later recalled: "To play good defense it was told back then that you had to stay flatfooted at all times to react quickly. [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. And that's the kind of guy [Brown] was. 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. [4][8] While at USF, he and Jones helped pioneer a play that later became known as the alley-oop. [52] The U.S. dominated the tournament, winning by an average of 53.5 points per game. 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. 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?' "[109][207] When his white Celtics teammate Frank Ramsey asked whether he hated him, Russell stated that he had been misquoted but few believed it. He shared all three kids with his first wife Rose Swisher. The Celtic mythical figure, who is now 88 years old, was involved in several passionate relationships. [The sound of Russell throwing up] is a welcome sound, too, because it means he's keyed up for the game, and around the locker room we grin and say, 'Man, we're going to be all right tonight. However, Russell fought a long and tough battle off the court as well. 6 jersey", "Bill Russell Statue Unveiled At Boston City Hall", "Bill Russell statue to be unveiled Nov. 1", "City Hall Plaza statue honors Celtics' Bill Russell", "Basketball's Bill Russell joins the Bronze Age", "Russell Rule Diversity Hiring Commitment", "The University of San Francisco Honors the Memory of Marilyn Nault Russell", "Bill Russell: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know", "Bill Russell, legendary Celtics center and NBA coach, dead at 88", "Indomitable Russell Values One Accolade Above the Rest", "Police: NBA legend Bill Russell arrested with gun at airport", "Bill Russell, Basketball Great With Record 11 NBA Titles, Dies At 88", "Celtics legend, 11-time NBA champion Bill Russell dies at 88", "What NBA salaries would these superstar players make today? ( Source : twitter ) The NBA icon and Olympian Bill Russell has passed away as of July 31, bringing down a part of basketball with him. At age 35, Russell contributed with 6 points, 21 rebounds, and 6 assists in his last NBA game. [5] Auerbach's thoughts were unorthodox, as in that period centers and forwards were defined by their offensive output, and their ability to play defense was secondary. [67] On November 7, 1959, Russell's Celtics hosted Chamberlain's Warriors and pundits called the matchup between the best offensive and defensive centers "The Big Collision" and "Battle of the Titans". The former practicing attorney is hence the epitome of an empowered woman through and through. [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. "[179], Russell was married to his college sweetheart Rose Swisher from 1956 to 1973. My wife and Russell's laugh. [5][41] His stint as coach of the Celtics was also of historical significance,[146][147] as he became the first black head coach in the NBA,[14] when he succeeded Red Auerbach. The Celtics won, earning their first NBA championship. [5] Russell was known as one of the most clutch players in the NBA. [109] He was so tense before every game that he regularly vomited in the locker room; early in his career, it happened so frequently that his fellow Celtics were more worried when it did not happen than when it did. [19] While there, they fell into poverty and Russell spent his childhood living in a series of public housing projects. Bill Russell is an 11-time NBA champion, and 12-time All-Star and is perhaps the game's greatest champion. [210] After that, the two were often seen together at various events and interviewed as friends. William Felton Russell was born in Monroe, Louisiana, a small agricultural community where his parents were subjected to the constant indignities that were the lot of African Americans in the Deep South at the time. Her birthday is January 20, 1962. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. [117] He finished with a 341290 regular season record and was 3427 in the playoffs. The first team to start five black players was the Boston Celtics. She graduated as an English Major from the University of Washington. Bill Russell was born on February 12, 1934 and he died on July 21, 2022 aged 88. To coach the Celtics, he had initially wanted his old player Frank Ramsey, who was too occupied running his three lucrative nursing homes. She was born on January 20, 1962. [208] The close relationship ended after Game 7 of the 1969 NBA Finals, when Chamberlain injured his knee with six minutes left and was forced to leave the game. 1 choice has to be Bill Russell. Russell, a legend on the court and in the civil rights movement, has been an integral part of MENTOR since its inception more than 30 years ago and has remained steadfastly committed as a champion of the mentoring movement. "[214], In 1966, Russell was promoted to head coach of the Celtics. He was born on November 2, 1957 and worked for Cox Trucking for several years. They were together from 1956 to 1973. 1934-American basketball player. 6 jersey will be retired across the NBA, was a champion, a gold medalist and a civil rights activist. 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. It's all over! He Had Three Children with His First Wife. [93], In the 1965 NBA playoffs, the Celtics played the Eastern Division Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers, a team that had traded for Chamberlain. A local kid from Somerville and several girls from the nearby area . Russell, who once said he owed the public nothing,[109] was not there; he ended his career and cut all ties to the Celtics.
What Are Elves Known For In The Hobbit,
Does A Tow Dolly Need A License Plate In Ohio,
Jeanne Robertson Husband Illness,
Arguments For And Against Miracles Gcse,
Articles B