[77] In the Eastern Division championships of the 1962 NBA playoffs, the Celtics met the Philadelphia Warriors led by Chamberlain, who averaged 50 points per game that season, and Russell did his best to slow him down. 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. [16] In 2021, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame a second time for his coaching career. One makes himself look good at the expense of the other guys on the floor. [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). [1] The Celtics won the 1966 NBA Finals and their eighth consecutive title. Bill Russell- a pioneer of NBA, legendary player, Hall of Famer, activist, and Boston Celtics icon who had bagged five MVPs awards and 11 Championships in his career, died on July 31, 2022, due to natural reasons at his home at the age of 88. During Russell's college career, the conference was known as the California Basketball Association. 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. [19] Russell's father was once refused service at a gas station until the staff had taken care of all the white customers first. [207] 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. [12] Russell averaged 16.6 points per game and a league-record average of 22.7 rebounds per game. His family said on social media that Russell died on Sunday, July 31, 2022. 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. [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. [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. "[206] To teammates and friends, Russell was open and amicable; he was extremely distrusting and cold towards anyone else. "Our house was in a shambles, and 'N***A' was spray-painted on the walls. "[200], Russell was driven by "a neurotic need to win", as his Celtic teammate Tom Heinsohn observed. He shared all three kids with his first wife Rose Swisher. She graduated as an English Major from the University of Washington. "[22], During his early years, Russell struggled to develop his skills as a basketball player. In the 1960 NBA playoffs, Russell's Celtics met Chamberlain's Warriors in the Eastern Division Finals. The burglars had poured beer on the pool table and ripped up the felt," Karen wrote in the . [51] During that same draft, Boston also drafted guard K. C. Jones, Russell's former USF teammate, and managed to draft three future Basketball Hall of Famers: Russell, Jones, and Heinsohn. [56], Russell was an elite help defender who allowed the Celtics to play the "Hey, Bill" defense: whenever a Celtic requested additional defensive help, he would shout "Hey, Bill!" Karen appears frequently on CNN, MSNBC, and TruTV as a legal and political analyst. He cherished fond memories of his childhood in the Park Cities, graduating from Highland Park High School in 1953. A morass to fight from. Russell's stint with the Kings was considerably shorter, his last assignment ending when the Kings went 1741 to begin the 198788 NBA season. Russell also ignored Heinsohn's request for an autograph on behalf of his cousin and openly said to Heinsohn that he deserved half of his $300 Rookie of the Year check. [118] Russell then served as general manager of the Kings during the 198889 season. 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. In addition, Auerbach had already used his NBA territorial pick to acquire talented forward Tom Heinsohn. [140], Russell is one of the most successful and decorated athletes in North American sports history. ", "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. He told her to go home and remove the dress, which he described as "white woman's clothing". [192] When Wilt Chamberlain became the first NBA player to earn $100,000 in salary in 1965 (equivalent to $859,873 in 2021), Russell went to Auerbach and demanded a $100,001 salary, which he promptly received. [68] The matchup between Russell and Chamberlain became one of basketball's greatest rivalries. Russell had three children with his first wife; two sons and a daughter. July 31, 2022 1:27pm. The block preserved Boston's slim 103102 lead with 40-odd seconds left to play in regulation, saving the game for the Celtics. Bill Russell, Boston Celtics legend, dies at 88 July 31, 2022 / 12:48 PM / AP BOSTON (AP) Bill Russell, the NBA great who anchored a Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 championships in 13. [37], On the hardwood, Russell's experiences were far more pleasant. 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. Beloved NBA legend Bill Russell has died at the age of 88, his family announced in a statement Sunday. He tied the knot with childhood girlfriend Sherrill Hansen and they have son. Bill Russell's Parents Charles Russell and Katie Russell are his parents. [172] The statue was unveiled on November 1, 2013, with Russell in attendance. Russell held Chamberlain to a pair of field goals in the first three quarters of Game 3. At age 35, Russell contributed with 6 points, 21 rebounds, and 6 assists in his last NBA game. Mr. Bill was born July 3, 1952 in Columbus, Ohio to Donald M. & Barbara 'Stump' Jones. Particularly if you live a long life. [58], At that time, Russell received much negative publicity as a player. Russell's family announced the legendary NBA center died at 88. [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. "[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. Bill Russell with his coach, Red Auerbach, in December 1964 after scoring his 10,000th career point in a game in Boston Garden. If you were too sheltered, you might not be motivated to help others who do not have your advantages.'. 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. [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. She is still very active and frequently appears on MSNBC and CNN, among many other media platforms. Here's what we know about his kids and family. [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. The Hall of Famer was 88. [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. [5] This took place during his last season (1969) and was the first season the NBA All-Defensive Teams were selected. He worked hard and used the benefits of a growth spurt to become a decent basketball player. '"[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. His third marriage happened in the year 2009 with Marilyn Nault. Following Chamberlain's death in October 1999, Russell returned to prominence at the turn of the millennium. "[101] The game still ended on a high note for Russell. Chamberlain often invited Russell over for Thanksgiving dinner; at Russell's place, conversation mostly concerned Russell's electric trains. [5][96], In the 196566 NBA season, Russell contributed 12.9 points and 22.8 rebounds per game. Bill Russell (L) greets Jimmy Butler at the NBA All-Star Game 2018 at Staples Center on February 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. 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. 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. . When their family uprooted to Oakland, California, they lived in the projects. On Sunday, July 31, Russell's family shared the news in a statement via Twitter, sharing . [1] The NBA reasoned that other centers were better all-round players than Russell but no player was more valuable to his team. 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. 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 . [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. 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. [221] When Russell originally retired, he demanded that his jersey be retired in an empty Boston Garden. In protest, the whole team decided to camp out in a closed college dorm, which was later called an important bonding experience for the group. [169], In 2013, Boston honored Russell by erecting a statue of him on City Hall Plaza. 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. Cash in on NFL Wild Card Weekend: Bet $5, Get $150 in Free Bets. [115] He attended his 2021 induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach. He was born on November 2, 1957 and worked for Cox Trucking for several years. The NBA great Bill Russell has died at age 88. 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. 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. The Hall of Famer was 88. He is one of just two NBA players (the other being prominent rival Wilt Chamberlain) to have grabbed more than 50 rebounds in a game. [135] He was named as a 2010 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. On the top is her late father, Bill Russel, who died on July 21, 2022. Following his passing on Sunday at 88, tributes poured in fast and furious . 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. She's also provided commentary on the high-profile cases of NBA players like Kobe Bryant and Jayson Williams. [67][108] The Celtics held on for a 108106 victory and Russell claimed his eleventh championship in thirteen years. In the interim, Russell won an Olympic gold medal in 1956. The Celtics won Game 4 in an upset, but the Hawks prevailed in Games 5 and 6, with Pettit scoring 50 points in the deciding Game 6. Bill Russell. 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. 1962) (TV Pundit, Lawyer) and 2 sons named William Russell Jr. and Jacob Russell. [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. "[49], Duiring the 196869 NBA season, Russell was shocked by the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, disillusioned by the Vietnam War, and weary from his increasingly stale marriage to his wife Rose; the couple later divorced. [21] Of Russell the college basketball player, Mikan said: "Let's face it, he's the best ever. August 1, 2022 9:47 AM Bill Russell discusses his views on race and being a barrier breaker in the 1960s. Arthur was a man of great courage. In 1956, Russell married his college sweetheart, Rose Swisher. "[216] Referring to a time when the Celtics did not frequently sell out the Boston Garden, while the generally mediocre and all-white NHL Boston Bruins did, Russell recalled: "We [the Celtics] did a survey about what we could do to improve attendance. We won 28 out of 29 games. You are less. [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". 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. ", "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. [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. [161] In 2022, he was ranked No. [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. [93], In the 1965 NBA playoffs, the Celtics played the Eastern Division Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers, a team that had traded for Chamberlain. He went peacefully with his loving wife and children by his side. Russell, who once said he owed the public nothing,[109] was not there; he ended his career and cut all ties to the Celtics. The Lakers featured new recruit Chamberlain next to perennial stars Baylor and West, and were the favorites. Bill Cosby's daughter Ensa was buried at the comedian's family compound outside Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts on Wednesday. [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. 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