[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. He was one of five, along with James Naismith, Oscar Robertson, Dean Smith, and John Wooden, selected to represent the inaugural class. . Russell, who had a difficult relationship with the media, did not attend either ceremony. The NBA great Bill Russell has died at age 88. No cause of death was immediately available; Russell, who had been living in the Seattle area, was not well enough to present the NBA Finals MVP trophy in June due to a long illness. [49] He ranks No. He reasoned that if Saperstein was too smart to speak with him, then he was too smart to play for Saperstein. 6 jersey was retired by the Celtics on March 12, 1972,[113] Russell had worn the same number 6 at the USF and for the 1956 U.S. Olympic team. [171] The art is by Ann Hirsch of Somerville, Massachusetts, in collaboration with Pressley Associates Landscape Architects of Boston. 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. [195] Russell also had a shoe designed by Bristol Manufacturing Corporation in 1966, the Bill Russell Professional Basketball Shoe. One of the greatest players in NBA history, Bill Russell, is currently in his 4th marriage. 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. Russell scored 15.0 points per game and grabbed a career-high 24.7 rebounds per game, leading the NBA in rebounds for the first time since Chamberlain entered the league. UCLA Bruins coach John Wooden called Russell "the greatest defensive man I've ever seen". Bill Russell with his coach, Red Auerbach, in December 1964 after scoring his 10,000th career point in a game in Boston Garden. Bill Russell got married to his girlfriend, Rose Swisher in the year 1956. [142] By winning the 1956 NCAA championship with USF and the 1957 NBA title with the Celtics,[143] 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. [68] The matchup between Russell and Chamberlain became one of basketball's greatest rivalries. [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. At age 35, Russell contributed with 6 points, 21 rebounds, and 6 assists in his last NBA game. [5], In the 196465 NBA season, the Celtics won a league-record 62 games and Russell averaged 14.1 points and 24.1 rebounds per game, winning his second consecutive rebounding title and his fifth MVP award. When the Celtics drafted Chuck Cooper and they came into Washington, D.C., to sign his contract, Walter Brown the owner of the team walked up to him and said: 'Mr. BOSTON (AP) Bill Russell never had to find his voice as an activist. [180] In 1996, Russell married his third wife, Marilyn Nault;[181] their marriage lasted until her death in January 2009. He Had Three Children with His First Wife Together, Russell and Swisher had three children: daughter Karen, and sons William Jr. and. He told her to go home and remove the dress, which he described as "white woman's clothing". [107] It was so surprising that Auerbach was blindsided and made the mistake of drafting guard Jo Jo White instead of a center. In a game called as "unreal" and "devoid of emotion", the Sixers lost 127118 on April 5. [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. [56] He also became famous for his shot-blocking skills and pundits called his blocks "Wilsonburgers", referring to the Wilson NBA basketballs he "shoved back into the faces of opposing shooters". [209] After that, the two were often seen together at various events and interviewed as friends. [41], In his career, Russell won five NBA MVP awards (1959, 196163, 1965),[5] which is tied with Michael Jordan for second all-time behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's six awards, and is at No. He had a difficult childhood and grew up in poverty. Russell wore his Presidential Medal of Freedom and the image was captioned: "Proud to take a knee, and to stand tall against social injustice." "Bill was the ultimate winner and consummate teammate, and his influence on the NBA will be felt forever," Silver added. You are a Negro. The 11-time NBA champion had been dealing with health issues in recent years, sources said. American baseball player and coach. [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. [167] In October 2021, Russell was honored as one of theleague's 75 greatest players of all-time. [135] He was named as a 2010 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Boston Celtics fans say Bill Russell was so much more than a basketball star. Arthur was a man of great courage. Bill Russell (L) greets Jimmy Butler at the NBA All-Star Game 2018 at Staples Center on February 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. [39][40] During his college career, Russell was the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 1955, averaging 20.7 points per game and 20.3 rebounds per game. She works as an attorney, corporate trainer, and political strategist, according to the Huffington Post. [124], Russell made few public appearances in the early 1990s, living as a near-recluse on Mercer Island, Washington, near Seattle. 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. [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. Together, Russell and Swisher had three children: daughter Karen, and sons William Jr. and Jacob. "[99][214] As a result of repeated racial bigotry, Russell refused to respond to fan acclaim or friendship from his neighbors, thinking it was insincere and hypocritical. If I looked at it objectively, detached myself, it would be a deficiency. The 11-time NBA champion is survived by his wife Jeannine and two children. August 2, 2022. "[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. [Auerbach would] get the information from us and then make a decision based on that information and his thoughts. [5], On February 5, 1960, Russell had 23 points, 51 rebounds, and 5 assists in a 124100 win over the Syracuse Nationals. [5] Russell is the all-time playoff leader in total (4,104) and average (24.9) rebounds per game, he grabbed 40 rebounds in three separate playoff games (twice in the NBA Finals), and he never failed to average at least 20 rebounds per game in any of his thirteen playoff campaigns. She already does volunteer work as a tutor for underprivileged children in her hometown.. Bill Russell, the most prolific winner in the history of American sports, died Sunday. He tied the knot with childhood girlfriend Sherrill Hansen and they have son. The Bill Russell Legacy Foundation, established by the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation, funded the project. [109][219], Russell refused to attend the ceremony when his jersey No. [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. Brown, who gave him a high $24,000 rookie contract, just $1,000 shy of the top-earning veteran Bob Cousy.[120]. 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. He owns a strong physique with great body measurements and a normal body type. They had three children: daughter Karen Russell, a television pundit and lawyer, and sons William Jr. and Jacob. 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. Sportskeeda's best Risk-Free bets from legal Sportsbooks. [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. [136] Russell attended Game 5 of the 2009 NBA Finals to present Bryant the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award. Her later father, Bill . After much debate, Auerbach agreed to give up Hagan and the Hawks made the trade. [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. 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. Be the first one to comment on this story. "[5] The Sixers outpaced the Celtics when they shredded the famed Boston defense by scoring 140 points in the clinching Game 5 win. He married again Dorothy Anstett (Miss USA 1968) in 1977. [196], 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. Russell played 48 games, averaging 14.7 points per game and a league-high 19.6 rebounds per game. [208], Chamberlain's knee was injured so badly that he could not play the entire offseason and he ruptured it the next season. 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. [157][158] In 2007, he was voted the third best center of all-time by ESPN behind Abdul-Jabbar and Chamberlain. The Hall of Famer was 88. [189], Russell died at his Mercer Island, Washington, home on July 31, 2022, at the age of 88. [156] Russell ranked No. "[212] 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. Gottlieb stated: "Our Paul Arizin went underneath for a simple backboard lay-up, and as the ball traveled down towards the basket, Russell batted it away. A five-time NBA Most Valuable Player and a twelve-time All-Star, he was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty, winning eleven NBA championships during his . Karen graduated from Harward Law School and has dissected high-profile trials and national political issues. 6 for most regular season MVPNBA Finals MVP awards, despite the latter being assigned only since 1969. He was 88. Russell won 11 NBA championships, five league MVPs and also became the first Black head coach. On Sunday, July 31, Russell's family shared the news in a statement via Twitter, sharing . And so the Celticsall we looked for was: 'Can he play?' [118] Russell then served as general manager of the Kings during the 198889 season. He revealed that his mother died when he was 12. "[5] After the Division Finals, the Celtics had an easier time in the NBA Finals,[95] winning 41 against the Los Angeles Lakers. [21][42] That year, Russell won high jump titles at the Central California Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) meet, the Pacific AAU meet, and the West Coast Relays (WCR). Russell said he was "proud of my grandfather's heroic dignity against forces more powerful than him he would not allow himself to be oppressed or intimidated by anyone." Auerbach, Red and John Feinstein. [100] During the series, Russell said: "Right now, he (Wilt) is playing like me [to win]. [34] Even after he became a star with the Celtics, Russell was the victim of racial abuse. "Bill's wife, Jeannine, and his many friends and family thank you . "[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. Russell anchored a Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 titles in 13 years. Russell anchored a Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 titles in 13 years. They were happily wed until 1973. Jeannine, and his many friends and family thank you for keeping Bill in . Karen appears frequently on CNN, MSNBC, and TruTV as a legal and political analyst. [67][108] The Celtics held on for a 108106 victory and Russell claimed his eleventh championship in thirteen years. 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. Physical Appearance Bill Russell is a young-looking smart and handsome man with a charming and dashing personality. Russell's stint with the Kings was considerably shorter, his last assignment ending when the Kings went 1741 to begin the 198788 NBA season. He replied: "Yes." [57] Gottlieb protested the next day, saying that Russell played a one-man zone and goaltended numerous times, to only be called once. If you were too sheltered, you might not be motivated to help others who do not have your advantages.'. 2. 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. The 11-time NBA champion with the Boston Celtics and the first Black head coach in the league Bill Russell passed away at the age of 88 on Sunday. 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. [13], Russell's life was marked by an uphill battle against racism and controversial actions and statements in response to racism. [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. Russell described himself as an avid reader of Dell Magazines' 1950s sports publications, which he used to scout opponents' moves for the purpose of defending against them. My wife and Russell's laugh. [223], On September 26, 2017, Russell posted a photograph of himself to a previously unused Twitter account in which he was taking the knee in solidarity with the U.S. national anthem kneeling protests. I could hear anything, I could see anything, and nothing mattered. . Charlie was an actor known for his play, Five on the black hand side. He later recalled: "To play good defense it was told back then that you had to stay flatfooted at all times to react quickly. [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. 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. In 1956, Russell married his college sweetheart, Rose Swisher. He lived his young life with his parents in Indiana and with his grandmother (Mammy) in Lebanon, Tennessee. Russell played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He shared all three kids with his first wife Rose Swisher. Jones. Celtics owner Walter A. [5][41], Besides basketball, Russell represented USF in track and field events. [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. It notably did not mention the COVID-19 vaccine as his cause of death, so anyone who claims that they did (looking at Jason Pires of Vancouver Times!) 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? 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. Although the salary was touted in the press as a record for an NBA coach, it is unclear whether Russell's continued $100,001 salary as a player was included in the calculation. [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. [58], At that time, Russell received much negative publicity as a player. [110] Russell notified Auerbach that he was resigning to join a career in television and movies "in order to find new sources of income for the future". [20], At USF, Russell became the new starting center for coach Phil Woolpert of the San Francisco Dons. In the 1961 NBA playoffs, the Celtics defeated the Syracuse Nationals 41 in the Eastern Division Finals. We won 28 out of 29 games. He was preceded in . [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. "[206] Years after Taylor's book, Russell published the autobiographical account Red and Me, which chronicled his lifelong friendship with Auerbach. [107] Russell then reversed himself and ordered his team to double-team West and Boston won Game 3. [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. [133][134], On February 14, 2009, NBA Commissioner David Stern announced that the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award would be renamed the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award in his honor as an 11-time NBA champion. Woolpert emphasized defense and deliberate half-court play, which favored Russell's exceptional defensive skills. In Game 6, Russell recorded his first career triple-double with 19 points, 24 rebounds, and 10 assists as the Celtics won 119105. 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. [71][72] In the 1960 NBA Finals, the Celtics outlasted the Hawks 43 in the series and won their third championship in four years. The NCAA had previously prohibited goaltending in response to George Mikan (1945) and later banned the dunk shot due to Lew Alcindor (1967), although the latter rule was later repealed. They were together from 1956 to 1973. [85] On February 10, 1963, Russell recorded his first regular season triple-double after putting up 17 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 129123 win over the New York Knicks. And that's the kind of guy [Brown] was. 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 . [1] The NBA reasoned that other centers were better all-round players than Russell but no player was more valuable to his team. [121] Russell also wrote books, usually written as a joint project with a professional writer, including 1979's Second Wind,[122] and played Judge Roger Ferguson in the Miami Vice episode "The Fix" (aired March 7, 1986). Dorothy, who went by Didi, hailed from Kirkland, Washington, and went on to compete at the Miss Universe Pageant in July in Miami Beach of that same year. When the reporter asked how, Russell responded: "Because the most important factor is respect. July 31, 2022 1:27pm. In his thirteen years, he averaged a relatively low 13.4 field goals attempted (normally, top scorers average 20 and more),[1] illustrating that he was never the focal point of the Celtics offense, who instead focused on his elite defense. [18], Russell was born on February 12, 1934, to Charles Russell and Katie Russell in West Monroe, Louisiana. 6 was retired in 1972; he also refused to attend his induction into the Hall of Fame in 1975. Early years Family. [107] West then hit one basket after the other and cut the lead to one, and Chamberlain asked to return to the game. 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. The couple got divorced in 1973. Russell's 51 rebounds in a single game is the second-highest performance ever, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain's all-time record of 55. Chamberlain often invited Russell over for Thanksgiving dinner; at Russell's place, conversation mostly concerned Russell's electric trains. [115], As a consequence of his endured racist abuse, Russell was extremely sensitive to all racial prejudice. Particularly if you live a long life. I knew youd encounter racism and sexism, and maybe, in some ways, thats a good thing. 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. In the first two games, Russell ordered his players not to double-team West, who used the freedom to score 53 and 41 points in the Game 1 and 2 Laker wins. [5] Russell was known as one of the most clutch players in the NBA. [109], For most of his career, Russell and his perennial opponent Wilt Chamberlain were close friends. As Chamberlain was often defended by Celtics backup center Wayne Embry, the press speculated that Russell was worn down. [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). [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. Brown contacted Rochester owner Les Harrison and received an assurance that the Royals could not afford Russell, and they would draft Sihugo Green. In this article, we take a look at how many kids Bill Russell had and who they are. 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. 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. A morass to fight from. He was 88. "[164] 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. [5][41] His stint as coach of the Celtics was also of historical significance,[145][146] as he became the first black head coach in the NBA,[14] when he succeeded Red Auerbach. 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 . [1] The 195657 Boston Celtics season saw the debut of a starting lineup made up of five future Hall-of-Famers: center Russell, forwards Heinsohn and Frank Ramsey, and guards Bill Sharman and Bob Cousy. [4][8] While at USF, he and Jones helped pioneer a play that later became known as the alley-oop. I refuse to smile and be nice to the kiddies. In an interview with ESPN, Russell said he wanted the NFL players to know they were not alone. "[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. [78] At that time, he became the fourth player in Celtics history to have a triple-double, joining Macauley, Cousy, and K. C. He is quoted by Fox Sports as saying that his father lived in Louisiana. Nba reasoned that other centers were better all-round players than Russell but No player was more Valuable to girlfriend... Russell `` the greatest players of all-time endured racist abuse, Russell represented USF in track and field events as! He reasoned that if Saperstein was too smart to speak with him then. Russell contributed with 6 points, 21 rebounds, and his many friends and family you! 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