Bill Russell
The greatest champion in NBA history, Bill Russell basically was the Boston Celtics throughout his playing career, which lasted from his rookie season in 1956-57 to his final year in 1968-69.
During those 13 seasons, Russell established himself as one of the greatest defenders in basketball history while making 12 All-Star teams, winning four rebounding titles, earning MVP five times, and collecting a record 11 NBA championships.
Russell spent his entire career in Boston and was a pioneer both on and off the floor before making the Hall of Fame in 1975. He also served as a player-coach for Boston and became the first Black coach in NBA history, as well as the first Black coach to win a championship. In 2011, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama for his accomplishments as a basketball player and his work in the civil rights movement.
Russell died on July 31, 2002, at 88 years old.
- Birthday: Feb. 12, 1934
- Died: July 31, 2022
- Birthplace: Monroe, Louisiana
- Listed height: 6-foot-10
- Listed weight: 215 pounds
- High school: McClymonds High School (Oakland, California)
- College: San Francisco (1953-56)
- NBA draft: Round 1, Pick No. 2 in the 1956 NBA Draft
- NBA team: Boston Celtics
- NBA position: Center
- NBA number: No. 6
- NBA playing career: 1956-69
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Bill Russell once said there were three people responsible for making the Boston Celtics “special” during his playing days.
Trading for Bill Russell in 1956 is the most significant move in Boston Celtics history.
Bill Russell came up big for the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the 1962 NBA Finals against the LA Lakers.
The legendary Bill Russell will be honored multiple ways by the Boston Celtics this season.
Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell could play in any era, say two former Los Angeles Lakers stars.
Could you imagine Bill Russell playing for the Los Angeles Lakers? Believe it or not, the big man once had an offer to take his talents to Hollywood.
Who was Si Green, the Duquesne star taken ahead of Bill Russell in the 1956 NBA Draft?
The late Bill Russell will be honored by the Boston Celtics throughout the 2022-23 NBA season.
