Both Macauley and Hagan would eventually land in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, an indication of how highly Auerbach valued Russell. 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, Concentration and mental toughness are the margins of victory. The premise was that it had to be difficult for Russell to live in such a place, to play for fans in such a city. While featuring in the high school team, he was dumped many times for his inability to comprehend game rules and scopes. The NBA legend was 88 years old at the time of his death. A post shared by ProCity Hoops (@procityhoops). Who are Bill Russell's children? The 10 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bill-Russell, Academy of Achievement - Biography of Bill Russell, Bill Russell - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), The great Bill Russell remembered at NBA All-Star weekend. Bill had attended the McClymonds High School, a public school in Oakland, California. Russell anchored a Boston Celtics - IMDb Mini Biography By: Bill Russells family announced his demise through a statement on Sunday, July 31. He had led the university team, the San Francisco Dons, to successive NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) championships in 1955 and 1956, a dream run that had included an astonishing streak of 55 wins in a row. He won 11 NBA titles in the 13 seasons that he played with the Boston Celtics, and he became the first African American coach of a modern major professional sports team in the United States when he was named the player-coach of the Celtics in 1966. But he was a very, you know, well-rounded human being who believed that it was not only a responsibility as a player, but the responsibility of an African American man. NBA Boston Celtics, player/head coach (1966-1969). They were together from 1956 to 1973. Bill was only nine years old at the time. In his 1st season, the Celtics failed to reach and win the NBA finals for the 1st time in 8 years. Somebody had broken in and defecated on the family bed and made - you know, wrote things on the wall and on his garage door. I knew about the rivalry between him and Wilt Chamberlain. In 1966 Wilt Chamberlain was traded from the Golden State warriors to his new hometown Philadelphia 76ers. I mean, that famous photograph of the African American lawyer about to be, like, speared with a flag right downtown at city government center. However, Russell was one of the huge earners in the NBA and didnt have to work part-time so as to maintain his standard of living as it was the case with other NBA players at the time. So it was, like, an easy yes for me to say, I'd love to direct this film about Bill Russell. Yeah. Russells Celtics ruled the roost at a time when the minuscule number of teams (the NBA consisted of eight or nine franchises for the majority of his career) made for a greatly condensed talent pool, and a combination of integration and improved scouting brought on an unprecedented rush of new stars. POLLARD: Well, I was approached by Ross Greenberg, who used to be the president of HBO Sports, about two years ago to get involved with the film as a director. Have something to tell us about this article? We go back to our place and Im crying. Russell was married to his college girlfriend Rose Swisher from 1956 to 1973, they had three children but then grew apart and divorced in 1977. Bill Russell died at the age of 88 on July 31, 2022, in Mercer Island, Washington, United States. There were things you might take away from Bill Russell and say, wow, you know, for him to have - hold this grudge against Wilt Chamberlain for so many years. I mean, he had a lot of issues. People broke into his house and destroyed his trophies, among many other outrageous deeds. This story was shared by Bill Russell and he discusses the first day of moving into new projects. He missed out on the NBAs Rookie of the Year award, ostensibly because teammate Tom Heinsohn had played the entire season whereas Russell had missed time as a result of his participation in the Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games (where he helped the U.S. mens basketball team win a gold medal). Copyright 2008-2023 BroBible. He won the NCAA in his finals and even earned recognition as a shot-blocker and defensive maestro. Attended McClymonds High School in Oakland, California, Inducted into the ESPN Boston Hall of Fame in 2011 (inaugural class) with. She has done a lot of activist work, and her articles can be found in the New York Times Magazine, HuffPost, and many other publications. Although Bill Russell played less than 50 games, due to the fact he has won a gold medal for basketball in the Olympics, in his first NBA season he definitely made his presence felt. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). From his early childhood years, Williams Jr. was fascinated by trucks, and that is why he pursued his passion of being a driver. Russell brought an aspect to basketball that had rarely been explored before: defense. Russell is a resident of Mercer Island, Washington where he stays with his wife. Russell anchored a Boston Celtics He helped the team to the play-offs and his shot-blocking abilities were efficient in the NBA final against the St. Louis Hawks which the Celtics narrowly won. I mean, he had a major chip on his shoulder. After his initial retirement from basketball as a player-coach, Russell worked as a commentator from 1970-73 then returned to basketball to coach the Seattle Supersonics. Outside the classroom, Russell began playing basketball. First Laker's owner Jack Kent Cooke had filled the rafters with purple and yellow balloons balloons and intended to drop them after the Lakers won. Never Have I Ever: Season 3 | Official Trailer | Netflix, https://i.ytimg.com/vi/d_N99x0gAAk/hqdefault.jpg. Following the 1969 season, Russell retired from the game. Russel died on July 31, 2022. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. The Greatest Food Debates Of All Time, Answered Pineapple On Pizza? WebBill Russell Legend on DVD - Both Episodes The life and career of Hall of Fame NBA player Bill Russell is celebrated in the documentary Bill Russel: Legend. On the court, Russell was a force to be reckoned with a champion who sacrificed himself for his teammates and love of basketball. All Rights Reserved. She went on to win theMiss Washington USA1968 crown title. Sam Pollard, thanks so much for talking with us. Omissions? Russell did not create the first basketball dynasty, but to date, through Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, Bill Russell has one more championship than any other basketball player.Bill Russell was born in Monroe, Louisiana in 1934, to Katie and Charlie Louis Russell. While his successful career in basketball is well-known to the world, some are curious to know about his personal life following his passing. He was voted league MVP five times. NPR's Michel Martin speaks with director Sam Pollard about his new documentary Bill Russell: Legend, which is now streaming on Netflix. In the 1962/63 season, Russell was named the NBA Most Valuable Player and won the honour again the following year after winning the NBA championship again. All rights reserved. His Russell knew that he had won, but he wanted to win over Chamberlain, and did not. Who was Bill Russells wife? Bill Russell, a towering figure in the NBA and in American sports history, died at 88 on Sunday, his family announced. They are Jacob Russell,William Russell Jr.,and Karen Russell. Holds NBA Finals record for highest rebound per game average (29.5 rpg, 1959) and by a rookie (22.9 rpg, 1957). In the 1961/62 season, Bill Russell recorded his career highest score by an average of 18.9 points and 23.6 rebounds per game; he also scored 30 points and 40 rebounds in the finals helping the Celtics to defeat a rugged Lakers side. We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us! Considered one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history, William Felton Russell was born on February 12, 1934, in Monroe, Louisiana. The series airs on Wednesday, February 8, and fans want to know more about his personal life. She was born on January 20, 1962. Russell's 6'9" frame also earned plenty of attention. There, his father initially worked as a truck driver and Bill Russell lost his mother at the age of 12. At the end of the season Wilt Chamberlain was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, taking Chamberlain to the other arch-rival of the Boston Celtics. | Born: February 12, 1934Played all 13 seasons with CelticsFive-time NBA MVPEleven-time NBA championNo. Named to NBA's 25th, 35th, 50th and 75th anniversary teamsTwelve-time NBA All-StarNamed Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year in 1968Induced into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on April 28, 1975Member of gold-medal winning US Olympic team in 1956 He didn't love Boston. And I'm just going to play a short clip about that. According to CBS Sports, he was a track star at his university. Its impossible to tell the story of the NBA without also telling the story of Bill Russell. His marriage with Rose produced 3 children of which one, Karen Russell is a renowned television pundit and lawyer. It's no conversation. Inducted into the Sport in Society Hall of Fame, 2000. Saw no point to them. WebWilliam "Bill" Russell (February 26, 1905 August 9, 1992) was an American music historian and modernist composer. But without Bill Russell there is no doubt the Boston Celtics would not be the rock-solid professional sports team they have become in their legendary run of championships. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. But as her wife was white they got divorced in 1980. If you have concerns about something that doesnt look right in this Bill Russell Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth, Life, please dont hesitate to contact us. He Had Three Children with His First Wife Together, Russell and Swisher had three children: daughter Karen, and sons William Jr. and Jacob. But they didn't love him. His autobiography, Second Wind: The Memoirs of an Opinionated Man (cowritten with Taylor Branch), was published in 1979. The NBA legend was a victim of racism, and not even his basketball fame helped him. She's also provided commentary on the high-profile cases of NBA players like Kobe Bryant and Jayson Williams. When Auerbach retired after the Celtics won the 196566 NBA title, Russell succeeded him as coach. Stand up for yourself. In 1964 they became the first team in the NBA to start an all-Black lineup. He would not let his defeat in 1967 keep him down. MVP All-Star Game (1963) after 19 points and 24 rebounds. Russell's life was marked by an uphill battle against racism and controversial actions and statements in response to racism. Updates? Even against more physically imposing centers, like .css-47aoac{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#A00000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-47aoac:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}Wilt Chamberlain, Russell was a defensive and rebounding force. During his days playing in the NBA, brands were not accustomed to signing sponsorship and endorsement deals with players. When word of this got back to Bill Russell, he told his teammates something to the affect of "We're going to have to do something about that." Featured Image by Bill Russell / Instagram. Bill Russell Death Reason Talking about his cause of death so he was very in for a long time and age was the factor also, however, everyone started paying him a tribute on the social media platform and started sending his family sympathy and condolence messages. WebBill Russell was an American former basketball coach and former professional basketball player who was universally acknowledged as one of the greatest American He retired in 1969 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame six years later. The couple got divorced in 1973. He was part of the March on Washington. Bill Russell achieved a lot during his life. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, file), Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Trump cowboy found not guilty of campaign finance charge, Obama praises woman behind Fired up chant as she retires, India urges G-20 ministers to look beyond East-West crisis, Sheriff: Florida man fatally shot teenage daughter, 3 others, N. Korea wants more control over farming amid food shortage, NYC bike path killer doesnt testify in death penalty phase, San Diego lawyer sentenced to prison for stealing $5K worth of life insurance premium payments, Driver extricated from overturned car after crashing off I-5 in La Jolla, RFK killer Sirhan Sirhan denied parole by California board, 25 years to life in prison for nanny who fatally injured 4-week-old baby in her care, Imperial Beach school placed on lockdown after unsubstantiated threat of gun on campus. His family fell into poverty and they moved into housing projects and thats where this story picks up. And thats what you must always do. In May 30, it was Anstett competed in theMiss Washingtonpageant in 1967, finishing in second place. Bill Russell was an American former basketball coach and former professional basketball player who was universally acknowledged as one of the greatest American sportspersons of all time. Sam Pollard, thanks so much for talking with us. WebBill Russell February 12, 1934 Russell was born on February 12, 1934, to Charles Russell and Katie Russell in West Monroe, Louisiana. While Charlie found good work, in 1946 his wife, Katie, became quite sick with the flu and died. It wasnt long before the defensively adept Russell proved to be dominating presence, with a scorers touch and uncanny ability to rebound. POLLARD: Yeah, during the Boston bussing issue. Celebrities, athletes and politicians are paying homage to NBA Hall of Famer Bill Russell, who has died at the age of 88, his family announced Sunday. He shared all three kids with his first wife Rose Swisher. This is probably my favorite Bill Russell highlight that I can think of. While in Oakland he was very poor but became a skillful basketball player. After her marriage to Bill ended, Rose stayed out of the limelight and lived a relatively secluded life. Bill Russells family announced his demise through a statement on Sunday, July 31. But the way she took care of it was; okay, youre going to fight every 1 of them. Your login session has expired. Following the 1966 season, in which Russell led the Celtics to an eighth consecutive title, Auerbach retired from coaching. During his three-year varsity career, in which he led the team to consecutive NCAA titles in 1955 and 1956, he averaged 20.7 points and 20.3 rebounds per game. Still yet Russell was without a doubt one of the finest players of his day. But if those souvenir hounds had taken Russell up on the chance to sit with him for a meal, they might have heard about his obsession with golf. The term Dynasty might have never applied to Basketball had it not been for Bill Russell. This site uses cookies to serve you better. POLLARD: I don't think he was as vocal. Bill Russells first wife was Rose Swisher, whom he married on December 9, 1956. Russell married his first wife Rose in 1956, and the couple had their first child, William Jr., the year after. The world has many of them. At the international level, he had captained the United States to the Gold medal at the 1956 Summer Olympics. In the fall of 1952, he tried out as a walk-on at the University of San Francisco and earned a scholarship. After taking the first two at home the Lakers returned to the Boston Garden to lose the next two. But by his senior year, his game had picked up enough to earn him a starting spot. And there were things that you could take away and say that he was really wonderful and special. And now Netflix is out with a new documentary. Bill called out injustice with an unforgiving candor that he intended would disrupt the status quo, and with a powerful example that, though never his humble intention, will forever inspire teamwork, selflessness, and thoughtful change, it reads further. Celtics's all-time leading rebounder (21,620, 22.5 rpg) in 963 games; second best in history. MARTIN: Exactly. Russell immediately made an impact by improving the Celtics defence with his shot-blocking talent. NBA legend and Hall of Famer Bill Russell died Sunday at the age of 88. . Bill Russells family announced his demise through a statement on Sunday, July 31. So I think he wasn't just - he wasn't as vocal and he didn't have as much exposure as they did. As at 2020, Bill Russell is married to Jeannine Russell and the couple appears frequently together on his Instagram. He married Rose Swisher, his college sweetheart, in 1956. 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Bill passed away with Jeannine by his side. He could care less, you know, about being someone that He recorded a mean score of 20.7 points and 20.3 rebounds per game. In 2013, Boston erected a significant statue of their legend, Bill Russell right outside the Boston City Hall Plaza. Bills wife at the time of his death was Jeannine Russell, previously known as Jeannine Fiorito and Jeannine Maddux. He has been a very consistent player who has been struggling a After his retirement, he served as head coach of the Seattle SuperSonics (197377) and the Sacramento Kings (198788), served as a commentator on television broadcasts of NBA games, and continued to remain active in social causes. He was also included in the All-NBA First Team thrice (1959, 1963, 1965), the All-NBA Second Team 8 times (1958, 19601962, 1964, 19661968), and the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 1969. She took care of it was ; okay, youre going to fight every 1 them! 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