He was born on November 2, 1957 and worked for Cox Trucking for several years. [56] This skill allowed the other Celtics to play their men aggressively; if they were beaten, they knew that Russell was guarding the basket. [59], At the start of the 195758 NBA season, the Celtics won fourteen straight games and continued to succeed. Many people thought that Russell was more important even though he had only played half the season. Russell's No. In his 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Boston Celtics, Bill Russell, who has died aged 88, won . It's all over! 6 was retired in 1972; he also refused to attend his induction into the Hall of Fame in 1975. [49] He excelled at playing man-to-man defense, blocking shots, and grabbing defensive rebounds. In 1977, Bill Russell married his 2nd wife, Dorothy Anstett, who had won the Miss USA beauty pageant in 1968. [38] He became known for his strong defense and shot-blocking skills, once denying 13 shots in a game. [13], Russell's life was marked by an uphill battle against racism and controversial actions and statements in response to racism. She has had many amazing accomplishments in her life. [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. [212] He was often called Felton X, presumably in the tradition of the Nation of Islam's practice of replacing a European slave name with an X and purchased land in Liberia. ", "Bill Russell, K.C. Meet Bill Russell's Children. [20], At USF, Russell became the new starting center for coach Phil Woolpert of the San Francisco Dons. Russell, who had a difficult relationship with the media, did not attend either ceremony. This attitude contributed to his bad rapport with fans and journalists. His first wife was his University of San Francisco college . "[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. Bill Russell was a father to two sons named Williams Jr. and Jacob. Russell's daughter, Karen, is a legal . From his early childhood years, Williams Jr. was fascinated by trucks, and that is why he pursued his passion of being a driver. [124] 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. Marilyn Nault Russell would end up as the step-mother of Bill's children from his previous marriage to Rose Swisher. Unfortunately, though, the duo grew emotionally distant around the time his NBA playing career came to an end in 1970, leading to their divorce three years later in 1973. 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. "[49] The next day, The Boston Globe read: "Russell's Reflexes Befuddles Visitors. "[49], In the 195960 NBA season, the NBA witnessed the debut of 7ft 1in (2.16m) Philadelphia Warriors center Wilt Chamberlain, who averaged a record 37.6 points per game in his rookie year. Shed do the same thing after games at home. 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. - WILLIAM FELTON RUSSELL, WILLIAM FRANCIS McSWEENY . Their union would be short . Your IP: DON'T FORGET TO; SUBSCRIBE+LIKE+COMMENTBill Russell is an American retired professional basketball player, author, NBA legend, and a philanthropist. Russell was married three times prior to Jeannine. "[214], In 1966, Russell was promoted to head coach of the Celtics. On May 6, 1999, the Celtics re-retired Russell's jersey in a ceremony attended by his on-court rival and friend Chamberlain, along with Celtics legend Larry Bird and Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. [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. His third . Would love your thoughts, please comment. He took issue with a few things Brand said, and . [128] On May 20, 2007, Russell was awarded an honorary doctorate by Suffolk University, where he served as its commencement speaker. [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!" [66] Lakers head coach John Kundla praised Russell, stating: "We don't fear the Celtics without Bill Russell. Born to William Bill Russell and his college sweetheart Rose Swisher a year into their marriage (December 9, 1956) on November 2, 1957, William Bill Felton Russell Jr. was their firstborn. Celtics owner Walter A. '"[203], In a retrospective interview, Russell described the state of mind he felt he needed to enter in order to be able to play basketball: "I had to almost be in a rage. "[201], Russell was driven by "a neurotic need to win", as his Celtic teammate Tom Heinsohn observed. [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. 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. 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 game was tied with two seconds left when Sam Jones sank a clutch shot that won the Celtics the series. [32] Russell became one of several big men who have brought about NCAA rule changes. Cooper, the Boston Celtics will never embarrass you.' but We will update you or notify you when we get any more information about his family. 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. [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. The fans could do or think whatever they wanted. Bill Russell poses with his Championship rings in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1996. He has all three children with his first wife, Rose Swisher. [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. It was reportedly back on January 8, 2018, that Jeannine and Bill got married in a private ceremony surrounded by loved ones, just for the union to last until his demise on July 23, 2022. "[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. MENTOR co-founder, board member, and close friend of Bill Russell, Geoffrey Boisi, made the following statement: 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. "[5] After the Division Finals, the Celtics had an easier time in the NBA Finals,[95] winning 41 against the Los Angeles Lakers. She's also provided commentary on the high-profile cases of NBA players like Kobe Bryant and Jayson Williams. 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. [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. What was Bill Russell's life like while he was racking up 11 rings? The centerpiece of the Boston Celtics dynasty who earned 11 NBA titles during . [224], 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. As Chamberlain was often defended by Celtics backup center Wayne Embry, the press speculated that Russell was worn down. Together, Russell and Swisher had three children: daughter Karen, and sons William Jr. and . [57] Gottlieb protested the next day, saying that Russell played a one-man zone and goaltended numerous times, to only be called once. That did not happen My junior year in college, I had what I thought was the one of the best college seasons ever. [29] When DeJulio offered Russell a scholarship, he eagerly accepted. [4] In his USF years, Russell took advantage of his relative lack of bulk to develop a unique defensive style: instead of purely guarding the opposing center, he used his quickness and speed to play help defense against opposing forwards and aggressively challenge their shots. In May 30, it was announced that the former Celtics player would be receiving the Arthur Ashe Award at the ESPYs. [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. [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". 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 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. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. In 1975, he was inducted into the basketball hall of fame. One makes himself look good at the expense of the other guys on the floor. I owe so much to him it's impossible to express. 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. [56] In previous years, the Celtics had been a high-scoring team but lacked the defensive presence needed to close out tight games. Moreover, the Next Gen: #BLM founder helps clients manage, execute, as well as maintain inclusive initiatives as a freelance consultant while also helping democratic women vote full ballots as an activist. [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. . When Russell was eight years old, his father moved the family out of Louisiana and settled in Oakland, California. He has three children, Jacob Russell, William Russell Jr., and Karen Russell . Please logout and login again. [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. He still holds the NBA record for rebounds in one half with 32 (vs. Philadelphia, November 16, 1957). [190] 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. [209], Chamberlain's knee was injured so badly that he could not play the entire offseason and he ruptured it the next season. 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. 101", "The NBA's 75th Anniversary Team, ranked: Where 76 basketball legends check in on our list", "NBA 75: Top 75 NBA players of all time, from MJ and LeBron to Lenny Wilkens", "President Obama Names Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients", "Bill Russell to receive NBA's inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award", "Bill Russell's No. 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.. Born on January 20, 1962, Karen is not just Bill Sr. and Roses youngest child but also their only daughter, meaning she was ostensibly always extremely close to both her parents. 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. 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. Despite the former Miss USA 1968 and Russell being happy at first, things took a turn south, and they divorced in 1980. In a game called as "unreal" and "devoid of emotion", the Sixers lost 127118 on April 5. [107] Russell then reversed himself and ordered his team to double-team West and Boston won Game 3. 1 in NBA history for defensive win shares at 133.6, with Tim Duncan in second at 106.3. Over 50 percent of responses said 'There's too many black players. [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. 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. In the pivotal Game 7, Russell managed to hold Chamberlain to 22 points, 28 points below his season average, while scoring 19 points. He was born William Felton Russell Jr. on November 2, 1957. [14][191] The news was announced in a Twitter post by his family. Rest in Peace, Bill. [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. Arthur was a man of great courage. The oldest son of Bill Russell, William Felton Russell Jr, who was named after the 11-time NBA champion, unfortunately passed away in 2016. [186] His older brother was the noted playwright Charlie L. [61] Russell scored 21 points and grabbed an NBA Finals-record 40 rebounds, plus an assist, in a Game 2 loss,[73] and he added 22 points and 35 rebounds, along with 4 assists,[74] in the deciding Game 7, a 122103 victory for Boston. [167] On June 15, 2017, Russell was announced as the inaugural recipient of the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award. You are less. His marriage with Rose produced 3 children of which one, Karen Russell is a renowned television pundit and lawyer. Over the course of his life, Rusell played 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics, during which time he took home 11 championships titles with the team. They were together from 1956 to 1973. [70] Boston won a then-record 59 regular-season games, including a then-record tying 17-game win streak. [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. 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. "[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. 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. Alex Wong/Getty Images. [18][169] However, the NBA players who currently wore the number 6 jersey (i.e. He replied: "Yes." Jones. In Game 6, Russell recorded his first career triple-double with 19 points, 24 rebounds, and 10 assists as the Celtics won 119105. Although the middle child of Bill Sr. and Rose Swisher (born on July 6, 1959), Jacob is arguably the simplest member of the prominent Russell family in almost every sense of the term. While attending college at the . The relationship between the two was tenuous at best. Bill Russell was born on February 12, 1934 and he died on July 21, 2022 aged 88. 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. After practice, and even during practice breaks, shed encourage me. [222] When Russell originally retired, he demanded that his jersey be retired in an empty Boston Garden. . [49] Boston's chances of getting Russell seemed slim because they had finished second in the previous season and the worst teams had the highest draft picks, and the Celtics had slipped too low in the draft order to pick Russell. [127] On November 17, the two-time NCAA champion Russell was recognized for his impact on college basketball as a member of the founding class of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. American basketball player and coach (19342022), 19561958: Rookie champion and early years, 19581966: Eight straight NBA championships, 19661969: Player-coach champion and final years, Racist abuse, controversy, and relationship with Boston fans. When the reporter asked how, Russell responded: "Because the most important factor is respect. I was able to separate the Celtics institution from the city and the fans. Suddenly, his grandfather broke down crying. [172] The art is by Ann Hirsch of Somerville, Massachusetts, in collaboration with Pressley Associates Landscape Architects of Boston. Russell died "peacefully" with . . NBA great Bill Russell, who anchored a Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 championships in 13 years, died . The couple has 3 children whose name is Karen Russell, William Jr, and Jacob. According to Sportskeeda, he resides in Washington State with his wife, Sara Marckx Russell. [47], The Harlem Globetrotters invited Russell to join their exhibition basketball squad. The 61-year-old is a legal and political analyst who graduated from Georgetown University and Harvard Law School.. She is a media person, lawyer, and Black-rights activist who has also contributed to publications like The New York Times Magazine. Who is Bill Russell's First Wife? . A living, smarting, hurting, smelling, greasy substance which covered you. 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.. [170], In 2013, Boston honored Russell by erecting a statue of him on City Hall Plaza. [216] He was quoted as saying: "From my very first year I thought of myself as playing for the Celtics, not for Boston. [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. He actually enrolled at the School of Art Institute in Chicago for a Bachelor's in Design-Visual Communications upon graduating from California's Galileo . "[207] Years after Taylor's book, Russell published the autobiographical account Red and Me, which chronicled his lifelong friendship with Auerbach. I was the MVP at the Final Four. Bill Russell Social Media Brown, who gave him a high $24,000 rookie contract, just $1,000 shy of the top-earning veteran Bob Cousy.[121]. The only time she couldnt was when we were on the road. BOSTON (AP) Bill Russell, the NBA great who anchored a Boston . He worked hard and used the benefits of a growth spurt to become a decent basketball player. The truth is Bill followed in his familys footsteps in terms of his choice to lead a quiet life, but he reportedly never shied away from admitting their identity or sharing the same generous nature. '"[218] 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. If that isn't goaltending, I want somebody to tell me what it is. 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? [137] Russell attended Game 5 of the 2009 NBA Finals to present Bryant the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award. The NBA legend was 88 years old at the time of his death. @NBATV before Game 6 of 2013 #NBAFinals. 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). [68] Both men awed onlookers with "nakedly awesome athleticism",[68] and while Chamberlain outscored Russell 30 to 22, the Celtics won 115106, and the match was called a "new beginning of basketball". [56] Russell had a more cordial relationship with many of his teammates with the notable exception of Heinsohn, his old rival and fellow rookie. [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. In 2014, after the unveiling of his statue at City Hall in Boston, Russell spoke a bit about his parents and what his life was like growing up. 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. [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.