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. Jones. The owner of the Hawks called Auerbach later and demanded more in the trade. NBA great Bill Russell died on Sunday with his wife, Jeannine, by his side. 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. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. [117] He finished with a 341290 regular season record and was 3427 in the playoffs. Bill Russell's daughter, Karen, was born on January 20, 1962. 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. [190], Russell died at his Mercer Island, Washington, home on July 31, 2022, at the age of 88. [107] Russell then reversed himself and ordered his team to double-team West and Boston won Game 3. [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. Just found out I will be receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. [56] Russell never had to work part-time. . The duo shares three children together. [120] In addition, Russell ran into financial trouble. The block preserved Boston's slim 103102 lead with 40-odd seconds left to play in regulation, saving the game for the Celtics. In Game 2, Philadelphia evened the series with a 115106 win and then went on to win Games 3 and 4. on November 1, 2013. . Russell was so quick that he could run over for a quick double team and make it back in time if the opponents tried to find the open man. Avery Brundage, head of the International Olympic Committee, argued that Russell had already signed a professional sport contract and was no longer an amateur sportsman, but Russell prevailed. As if this isnt enough, her written pieces have been featured in the New York Times, the Seattle Times, and the Huffington Post, amongst many other publications, and she has a TEDx talk on Mentoring. [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. [107] It was so surprising that Auerbach was blindsided and made the mistake of drafting guard Jo Jo White instead of a center. NBA legend Bill Russell passed away at the age of 88. While attending college at the . In 1987, Karen Rusell penned an article for the New York Times titled, Growing Up With Privilege and Prejudice.. [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. [56] This skill allowed the other Celtics to play their men aggressively; if they were beaten, they knew that Russell was guarding the basket. He stood side-by-side with Dr. Martin Luther King in the 1960s, the height of the civil rights movement. If you were too sheltered, Im afraid youd be too naive. [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. With the added defensive presence of Russell, the Celtics had laid the foundation for a dynasty, as the team utilized a strong defensive approach to the game, forcing opposing teams to commit many turnovers, which led to many easy points on fast breaks. "[5] The Sixers outpaced the Celtics when they shredded the famed Boston defense by scoring 140 points in the clinching Game 5 win. Russell later called it the best team of his era and the best defense of all time. 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.. NBA Legend Bill Russell is interviewed by television personality John King prior to Bill Russell's acceptance of the Presidential Medal of Freedom award in Washington, DC. [34] Even after he became a star with the Celtics, Russell was the victim of racial abuse. These statues were modeled by a local boy from Somerville and multiple girls from the surrounding area. 1 in NBA history for defensive win shares at 133.6, with Tim Duncan in second at 106.3. He reasoned that if Saperstein was too smart to speak with him, then he was too smart to play for Saperstein. "[214], In 1966, Russell was promoted to head coach of the Celtics. As part of the 1961 Celtics boycott, he and the other black teammates refused to play in the exhibition game and flew home, drawing a great deal of controversy and publicity. Although Russell was a good runner and jumper and had large hands,[20] he did not understand the game and was cut from the team at Herbert Hoover Junior High School. 6 from the University of San Francisco as well as in the 1956 USA Olympic Team. 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. [109] According to Taylor, Russell discounted the fact that his career was facilitated by white people who were proven anti-racists: his high school coach George Powles, who encouraged him to play basketball, his college coach Phil Woolpert, who integrated USF basketball, Celtics coach Red Auerbach, who made him the first black NBA coach and is regarded as an anti-racist pioneer for his no color barrier, and Celtics owner Walter A. [19] In another incident, Russell's mother was walking outside in a fancy dress when a white policeman accosted her. [76], In the 196162 NBA season, Russell scored a career-high 18.9 points per game, accompanied by 23.6 rebounds per game. [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. 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. [13], Russell's life was marked by an uphill battle against racism and controversial actions and statements in response to racism. Bill Russell never ceases to amaze me. Over 50 percent of responses said 'There's too many black players. Karen Russell was born on January 20th, 1962 . 1 choice has to be Bill Russell. I owe so much to him it's impossible to express. In a game called as "unreal" and "devoid of emotion", the Sixers lost 127118 on April 5. [1] Boston defeated the Cincinnati Royals 41 to earn another NBA Finals appearance and then won against Chamberlain's newly relocated San Francisco Warriors 41. Bill Russell, the legendary Celtics center who was the cornerstone of basketball's greatest dynasty and an exemplar of racial harmony and progress, died Sunday at age 88, his family announced on . The Hall of Famer was 88. Bill Russell wound up married to his second wife, Dorothy, in 1977. [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. At the time of his death, Bill was married to his fourth wife, Jeannine. If I looked at it objectively, detached myself, it would be a deficiency. UCLA Bruins coach John Wooden called Russell "the greatest defensive man I've ever seen". [111], In 1971, Russell joined NBA on ABC to do commentary on the Game of the Week. Bill Russell's family announced his demise through a statement on Sunday, July 31. [4][8] While at USF, he and Jones helped pioneer a play that later became known as the alley-oop. To our children . He was born William Felton Russell Jr. on November 2, 1957. Russell regarded Auerbach as "the greatest of all coaches". . 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. [50], The St. Louis Hawks, who owned the second pick, drafted Russell but were vying for Celtics center Ed Macauley, a six-time NBA All-Star who had roots in St. Louis. [143][156] 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. And so the guy that owned the Celtics [Walter Brown] was [in addition to Auerbach for whom Russell expressed 'respect' and 'actual love'] another one of the fine, good, and decent human beings that I've ever encountered. When the NBA All-Stars toured the U.S. in the 1958 offseason, white hotel owners in segregated North Carolina denied rooms to Russell and his black teammates, causing him to later write in his 1966 memoir Go Up for Glory: "It stood out, a wall which understanding cannot penetrate. [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. A post shared by Bill Russell (@realbillrussell). His father gave up his trucking job and became a steelworker in order to be closer to his children. William Russell Jr. Bill Russell Jr was the first child of the 11-time NBA champ. The Internal Revenue Service discovered that Russell owed $34,430 in tax money and put a lien on his house. The only time she couldnt was when we were on the road. [18][169] However, the NBA players who currently wore the number 6 jersey (i.e. She's also provided commentary on the high-profile cases of NBA players like Kobe Bryant and Jayson Williams. [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. [164], Of Russell, former NBA player and head coach Don Nelson said: "There are two types of superstars. These are Karen Kenyatta Russell, William Russell Jr., and Jacob Russell. Dorothy was reportedly a University of Washington English major at the time of her Miss USA win, and she genuinely intended on evolving into a teacher once everything was settled for good. 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. . [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. Suddenly, his grandfather broke down crying. The 88-year-old basketball icon passed away on July 31, 2022. Bill Russell, the cornerstone of the Boston Celtics dynasty that won eight straight titles and 11 overall during his career, died Sunday. However, she was a step-mom to Russell's three children from his first marriage. He's the guy who whipped us psychologically. Russell responded to the honor by tweeting, Just found out I will be receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. 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. 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. [223] In 1995, the Celtics left the Boston Garden and entered the FleetCenter, now known as the TD Garden; as the main festive act, the Celtics wanted to re-retire Russell's jersey in front of a sellout audience. The NBA legend was 88 years old at the time of his death. July 31, 2022 1:27pm. "[36], Racism shaped his lifelong paradigm as a team player, about which Russell said: "At that time it was never acceptable that a black player was the best. He still holds the NBA record for rebounds in one half with 32 (vs. Philadelphia, November 16, 1957). [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". [105] Russell pulled himself together and put up 9.9 points and 19.3 rebounds per game;[1] the aging Celtics stumbled through the regular season. However, the NBA player did have children from his previous marriage. He was convinced that the U.S. was a corrupt nation and that he was wasting his time playing something as superficial as basketball. [162] In 2022, he was ranked No. Russell's daughter, Karen, is a legal and political analyst, as well as a blogger. [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. [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. In this article, we have covered all details about him. 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. [14][191] The news was announced in a Twitter post by his family. A post shared by Bill Russell (@realbillrussell) on Oct 7, 2018 at 10:07pm PDT. [52], Due to his Olympic commitment, Russell could not join the Celtics for the 195657 NBA season until December. @NBA: The great Bill Russell joins the fellas, live on . [14] In 2011, Barack Obama awarded Russell the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his accomplishments on the court and in the civil rights movement. As a dedicated human rights activist, Russell fought against . Bill Russell, the Boston Celtics' Hall of Fame center who almost single-handedly redefined the game of basketball, was, in the words of Basketball's Big Men by David Klein, "the standard against whom all others will be judged." A big man who specialized in defense rather than scoring, Russell was the ultimate winner. ", "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', UPI College Basketball Player of the Year Award, Helms Foundation College Basketball Player of the Year, NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player, 1955 NCAA Men's Basketball Consensus All-Americans, 1956 NCAA Men's Basketball Consensus All-Americans, NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant Most Valuable Player Award, Wayland Baptist Women's Teams (19481982), NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship, Lakers versus Celtics and the NBA Playoffs, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bill_Russell&oldid=1142551823, African-American male track and field athletes, African-American sports executives and administrators, All-American college men's basketball players, American sports executives and administrators, Basketball players at the 1956 Summer Olympics, Basketball players from Oakland, California, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees, National Basketball Association All-Stars, National Basketball Association broadcasters, National Basketball Association championship-winning head coaches, National Basketball Association players with retired numbers, Olympic gold medalists for the United States in basketball, San Francisco Dons men's basketball players, San Francisco Dons men's track and field athletes, Track and field athletes from Oakland, California, United States men's national basketball team players, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Pages using Sister project links with hidden wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 3 March 2023, at 01:53.