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." | Russell anchored a Boston Celtics In this article, we take a look at how many kids Bill Russell had and who they are. The couple got divorced in 1973. Holds career playoff record for most rebounds (4,104, 24.9 rpg) in 165 games. He was 88. Featured Image by Bill Russell / Instagram. His last season came in 1968/69 as he began to age and lose interest in the professionalism of basketball. All rights reserved. This season every NBA team is wearing the No.6 on the front of their jerseys to honor the great mans legacy. She's also provided commentary on the high-profile cases of NBA players like Kobe Bryant and Jayson Williams. WebDON'T FORGET TO; SUBSCRIBE+LIKE+COMMENTBill Russell is an American retired professional basketball player, author, NBA legend, and a philanthropist. Off the court, he was a force in the fight for human In the long line of dominance the Boston Celtics would exercise over the NBA the most legendary years were in his final years. 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. His second wife, Dorothy "Didi" Anstett, was the 1968 Miss USA. But as her wife was white they got divorced in 1980. Bill Russells daughter, Karen, was born in 1962. If he was out dining and got approached by someone asking for his signature, Russells usual response was to instead ask the person to join him at the table to have a conversation about life. On August 11, 2022, the NBA announced the retirement of Russell's No. Holds NBA Finals single-game record for most free throws attempted in one half (15, April 11, 1961) vs. St. Louis; most rebounds (40, March 29, 1960 vs. St. Louis and April 18, 1962 vs. Los Angeles); most rebounds by a rookie (32, April 13, 1967 vs. St. Louis); and most rebounds in a quarter (19, April 18, 1962 vs. Los Angeles). Bill Russell, the most prolific winner in the history of American sports, died Sunday. A cause of death wasnt given, nor did a family statement say where he died. Take away all the on-court accomplishments, and Russell still lived a life. He shared all three kids with his first wife Rose Swisher. Bill was named an NBA All-Star 12 times (19581969), the NBA MVP 5 times (1958, 19611963, 1965), and the NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1963. . In 1979, Russell teamed up with professional writers to publish the Second Wind book and also featured in a 1986 movie named The fix as Judge Ferguson. (SOUNDBITE OF DOCUMENTARY, "BILL RUSSELL: LEGEND"). He covers an array of topics including NFL, Pop Culture, Fishing News, and the Outdoors. Case in point: The apparent invasion of raccoons into Reading, Massachusetts, around 1958. He was the greatest and most dominant winner we've ever seen in the history of basketball. Why this film and why now? Bill Russells family announced his demise through a statement on Sunday, July 31. Please logout and login again. Over his 13 seasons in the league, the team played in 12 NBA finals, winning 11 of them. MARTIN: I have to tell you, you've done so many things - produced and directed and edited award-winning feature films and documentaries. But the thing that Bill Russell was always focused on as a player was being a member of the Celtic family. Sam Pollard, thanks so much for talking with us. The NBA great Bill Russell has died at age 88. You can swipe through the Instagram gallery below to see the videos and/or check out the full quotes below the Instagram post. Yeah. If you have three hours and want to check out Russells story, you can watch this video right below. Bills third wife was Marilyn Nault, whom he married in 1996. Reflecting on the legacy of Celtics great Bill Russell Russells example helped shape the generations that followed him. WebBill Russell was an American former basketball coach and former professional basketball player who was universally acknowledged as one of the greatest American Russel died on July 31, 2022. Their marriage lasted until her death in 2009. Somebody had broken in and defecated on the family bed and made - you know, wrote things on the wall and on his garage door. But the way she took care of it was; okay, youre going to fight every 1 of them. Born on 12 February 1934, Bill Russells age was 88 Years Old when he passed away on 31 July 2022. All-NBA Second Team (1958, 1960-1962, 1964, 1966-1968). They are Jacob Russell,William Russell Jr.,and Karen Russell. It is a truly staggering rate of success, one that no other NBA player has come close to approaching. Bill Russell attended the University of San-Francisco and played on the school team presumably due to his height advantage. View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro. When Russell was 10, his father, Charlie, fed up with trying to navigate a racially charged South, moved his family across the country to Oakland, California, where he found work at a shipyard. But I think this documentary will reset the clock on that and understand Bill from the other perspective, besides being a phenomenal basketball legend. The NBA legend was 88 years old at the time of his death. Russell married his first wife Rose in 1956, and the couple had their first child, William Jr., the year after. Bill Russells first wife was Rose Swisher, whom he married on December 9, 1956. The relationship was broken apart in controversy because of Anstetts color. With Russell anchoring the middle of the floor, the Celtics finished with the NBA's best record in 1957, and went on to win the title over the Hawks in a tense seven-game series. WHO IS KAREEM ABDUL JABBARS EX WIFE? Over the course of his 13-year NBA career, Russell steered the club to 11 titles. And I think maybe it's because we are so used to seeing African Americans as dominant in basketball. It seems weird that there hasn't been this kind of full feature-length treatment until now, given the impact that he had. Bill Russel biography facts, childhood, net worth and personal life present a complete rundown of the profile, career and life from childhood to date, of the 12-time All-Star and 5-time NBA MVP. But we learned that, you know, he had a very interesting life and complicated life off the court. Despite winning 11 championships in 13 seasons with the Celtics, Russell greatly disliked playing in Boston and was often the target of racism. I mean, he just did what he had to do, and he wasn't as vocal as Ali, as we all know. The Celtics who were supposedly way past their prime were led by Bill Russell to their eleventh championship, they were only the third team to repeat a championship, the first were the Minneapolis Lakers, and the second were the Boston Celtics. Libraries werent open to the Black community in Louisiana so Katie Russell made sure to take advantage of that benefit upon their relocation. Copyright 2023 NPR. Bill Russell married his college Girlfriend Rose Swisher in 1956 and had one daughter named Karen Russell and two sons named William Russell Jr & Jacob Russell from the wedlock. West Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States, Mercer Island, King County, Washington, United States. UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #2: There was a full house in Kiel Auditorium on that night in December 1956. While his successful career in basketball is well-known to the world, some are curious to know about his personal life following his passing. And so she says are these the guys?. The autograph-seekers almost always declined. Russell died Sunday at the age of 88, with his wife, Jeannine, at his side, his family said in a statement posted on social media. However, he still performed well as a player the following season and led the team to yet another NBA championship title. During his career, Russell supported the American civil rights movement, spoke out against the Vietnam War, and did much that, had it come from any lesser athlete, would have been cause for immediate controversy. The cemetery is also the final resting place of martial arts action star Bruce Lee and his son Brandon Lee. However, Russell fought a long and tough battle off the court as well. NBA Sacramento Kings, player/head coach (1987-1988). Bill Russell Wife, Children. Dorothy Catherine Anstett was born on June 28, 1947, and was one of nine children of an aircraft plant worker. She attended theUniversity of Washingtonwhere she majored in English but later found fame as a beauty queen and pageant titleholder. He endured insults and vandalism, but he kept on focusing on making the teammates who he loved better players, and made possible the success of so many who would follow, Obama said that day. And there were things that you could take away and say that he was really wonderful and special. Who was Bill Russells wife? Why do you think that is? NBA legend and Hall of Famer Bill Russell died Sunday at the age of 88. Do you know what I mean? The Celtics legend had four wives during his life, and is now the focus of a Netflix documentary called Bill Russell: Legend. We went all through the projects looking for those 5 guys. Bill Russell, byname of William Felton Russell, (born February 12, 1934, Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.died July 31, 2022), American basketball player who was the Well, I was 9 years old, and I did what 9 year olds are supposed to. Considered one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history, William Felton Russell was born on February 12, 1934, in Monroe, Louisiana. 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. You know, I want you to understand, like a lot of these films about (inaudible) the complexity of the human being, we're playing up on a screen. Hailed as the greatest winner in sports, Basketball Hall of Fame center Bill Russell led the Boston Celtics to an unprecedented 11 championships in 13 seasons. Russells impact was immediate. Russell was the first player to win an Olympic Gold Medal, an NBA Championship, and a collegiate championship. He married Dorothy Anstett, Miss USA, in 1968, but divorced in 1980. In the History of professional sports there has never been an athlete who has more accolades or championships, in other words Bill Russell was not only a champion, but he was perhaps the definition of a champion. Rose and Bill were college sweethearts and were together for much of Bills NBA success. He had represented the Boston Celtics in the NBA from 1956 to 1969 and was the central figure in the teams total domination of the league winning the NBA championship title 11 times (1957, 19591966, 1968, 1969). According to CBS Sports, he was a track star at his university. This story was shared by Bill Russell and he discusses the first day of moving into new projects. Inducted into the Sport in Society Hall of Fame, 2000. In 1996 Russell married his third wife, Marilyn Nault. He brought a defensive style of play and led his side to the playoffs, the first in their franchise history. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Universally recognized as one of the most accomplished athletes in professional sports history, NBA legend Bill Russell died Sunday. It's titled, appropriately enough, "Bill Russell: Legend.". Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. The oldest son of Bill Russell, William Felton Russell Jr, who was named after the 11-time NBA champion, unfortunately passed away in 2016. The former Boston Celtics legend is an 11-time NBA champion and widely regarded as one of the best players to ever play the game. People broke into his house and destroyed his trophies, among many other outrageous deeds. They were together from 1956 to 1973. Publicity Listings He was represented by Russell Spielman, Manager and Booking Agent, GSE Worldwide, Melville, Long Island, New York, United States. Rose Swisher and Bill Russell had three children, daughter Karen Russell and sons William Jr and Jacob. Russell asked for a gun permit. 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. 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. Bill passed away with Jeannine by his side. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Member, gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic Team (1956). So the Celtics traded centre Ed Macauley and the rights to guard-forward Cliff Hagan, who had yet to play in the NBA owing to his military service, to the St. Louis Hawks shortly after the Hawks used the second overall pick of the draft to select Russell. His draft rights were traded by the Hawks to the Boston Celtics for Cliff Hagan and. Bill was born in Louisiana in 1934. Russell took home one more championship before hanging up his sneakers for good in 1969. 15 Episodes of Seinfeld That Teach Everything You Need To Know About Life, Read more sports articles on BroBible right here, 5-time NBA MVP Bill Russell shared a story from his childhood that he says changed his life forever, It took place right when he and his mother moved to the projects and he was attacked by a stranger, his mother then took charge of the situation. They were together from 1956 to 1973. His mind was bigger than basketball, author Taylor Branch, who spent about a year living with Russell near Seattle in the 1970s while working with him on a book, said Sunday. So how did he deal with it? While in Oakland he was very poor but became a skillful basketball player. 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. He played alongside star point guard Bob Cousy for a number of years on the Celtics. Cowboys for Trump cofounder Couy Griffin has been found not guilty of a misdemeanor charge of failing to register a political group and provide financial disclosures at a trial in southern New Mexico, Former President Barack Obama is marking the retirement of the South Carolina woman credited with popularizing the chant Fired up, ready to go!, Top diplomats from the worlds major industrialized and developing nations have opened what are expected to be contentious talks dominated by Russias war in Ukraine and Chinas moves to boost its global influence, Authorities say a central Florida man has been arrested after fatally shooting his teenage daughter and three other people, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to strengthen state control over agriculture and make all available efforts to increase grain production, as the country faces a worsening food shortage, The man convicted of killing eight people in a terrorist attack on a Manhattan bike path declined to testify in the death penalty phase of his trial, just as he had before the jury returned guilty verdicts, Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSign Up For Our NewslettersSite Map, Copyright 2023, The San Diego Union-Tribune |, FILE - Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell stands court side during a tribute in his honor in the second quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks in Boston, Nov. 1, 2013. In the fall of 1952, he tried out as a walk-on at the University of San Francisco and earned a scholarship. Doesnt matter whether you won or lost. This was the first All-Star weekend since the death of 11-time champion, Hall of Fame player and Hall of Fame coach Bill Russell. When he later became a standout college player at USF, Russell recalled how he and his few fellow black teammates were jeered by white students. At the age of 9 he moved to Oakland. He went to high school in Oakland. Have a good day. Sadly, Russell passed away in August 2022 at the age of 88. Auerbachs lineup came out of necessity; he was notoriously indifferent to social causes and the opposing backlash. His family said on social media that Russell died on Sunday, July 31, 2022. He last led the Sacramento Kings as president of basketball operations in the late 1980s. Bill Russells family announced his demise through a statement on Sunday, July 31. We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us! Russell capped his amateur career by leading the U.S. mens basketball team to the gold medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. 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. There, his father initially worked as a truck driver and Bill Russell lost his mother at the age of 12. The NBA legend was 88 years old at the time of his death. That story was part of a THREE-HOUR interview with Bill Russell that is preserved in the Library Of Congress. Bill Russell had three kids, Karen, William Jr., and Jacob. On the day of Bill Russells private funeral, NBA announces its greatest honor: the permanent retirement of No. Both Macauley and Hagan would eventually land in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, an indication of how highly Auerbach valued Russell. He is an American by nationality and has a belief in the Catholic Christian religion. Rose Swisher died aged 78 on September 11, 2014. The world has many of them. Currently, Russells estimated net worth is about $10 million. Granted, it was in part because no one could deal with the moody Russell except Russell himself, but it still made him the first African American coach in NBA history, as well as the first to win a title when Boston took the 196768 championship. Bill Russell was born on February 12, 1934. For the first time in the Bill Russell- Wilt Chamberlain rivalry Chamberlain could not say he did not have the team to beat the Celtics, although many contend that the Celtics were evenly match if not inferior in talent to their many rivals. The basketball legacy is beyond well-known: 11 championships in 13 years with the Boston Celtics, first Black coach in the NBA, first Black coach to win an NBA title, Hall of Fame player, Hall of Fame coach, Olympic champion, NCAA champion, member of the leagues 75th anniversary team, and the namesake of the NBA Finals MVP award which, had it existed when he played, he would have won at least a half-dozen times. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. The Celtics won a title in his rookie year, and he became the leagues first African American superstar, though not its first Black player (who was Earl Lloyd in 1956). Russell used this mindset while on the court and in Russell anchored a Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 titles in 13 years. In 2005, Russell recorded bankruptcy after investing an estimated amount of $250,000 to finance a rubber plantation project in Liberia. In 1987, Russell began coaching the Sacramento Kings but was fired due to lack of performances following a loss in the opening fixture of the 1988/89 season. "Here is a Black man from Oakland, surrounded by Black people most of his life," Pollard said. On joining the Celtics during the mid-season, he made his professional debut against the St. Louis Hawks. 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. In California, life for the Russell family proved rocky. Corrections? It wasnt long before the defensively adept Russell proved to be dominating presence, with a scorers touch and uncanny ability to rebound. Its impossible to tell the story of the NBA without also telling the story of Bill Russell. And he became a major star at USF, went on to win the Olympic gold medal in Australia and then got drafted by the Celtics in '57. Full Article. Bill Russell, byname of William Felton Russell, (born February 12, 1934, Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.), American basketball player who was the first outstanding defensive centre in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and one of the sports greatest icons. He won 11 NBA titles in the 13 seasons that he played with He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975, the FIBA (Federation Internationale de Basketball Amateur) Hall of Fame in 2007, and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in its inaugural ceremony in 2006. Thats what I did, Russell said in 2009. During his days playing in the NBA, brands were not accustomed to signing sponsorship and endorsement deals with players. The two who were previous friends were now very distant. Macauley was part of a solid offensive unit with Bob Cousy and Bill Sharman, but the team had a missing piece to the puzzle.As America would soon find out Bill Russell would be that missing piece. Russell now had the daunting task of taking a bottom seed to defeat some of the best teams of all time, including a newly revamped Philadelphia after the Chamberlain trade, who they beat, and the New York Knickerbockers, led by Willis Reed, Walt Bellamy, and Walt Frazier, who they beat in 6, and set the match for the Los Angeles Lakers, which now had Chamberlain.Chamberlain, as well as Jerry West and Elgin Baylor always fell short to the Celtics. You know, one night, they came back to this house. With his first wife, Rose, to whom he was married for 17 years, he had three children: a daughter, Karen, and two sons, Buddha and Jacob. 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. You know, what - is there something in particular you're hoping people will draw from this film? It was, however, a milestone made possible by Russells performance and larger significance. Moreover, the Celtics needed to move up in the draft order to pick him; with Russell coming off two straight NCAA titles, some team was bound to take the plunge. Holds the NBA single-game record for most rebounds in a half (32) vs. Philadelphia on Nov. 16, 1957. The following season, Russell earned the NBA MVP award and helped the Celtics to another NBA final which they lost. Its impossible to tell the story of the NBA without also telling the story of Bill Russell. MARTIN: Exactly. He is a best-selling author and thirty years after he won he remained a recognizable face and a legend. He posted a picture with her on January 25, 2021, as the couple renewed their wedding vows. I was the only Negro athlete on either team. Outside the classroom, Russell began playing basketball. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). He stood side-by-side with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s, the height of the civil rights movement. You did what youre supposed to do. He dealt with Boston bussing issues. POLLARD: Well, first of all, he was a very angry guy about that. He won the NCAA in his finals and even earned recognition as a shot-blocker and defensive maestro. In his 1st season, the Celtics failed to reach and win the NBA finals for the 1st time in 8 years. The ball went up, and Bob Pettit of the Hawks and I jumped for it. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975 as a player and 2021 as a coach. His family said on social media that Russell died on Sunday, July 31, 2022. Boston Celtics fans say Bill Russell was so much more than a basketball star. In 2013, Boston erected a significant statue of their legend, Bill Russell right outside the Boston City Hall Plaza. He was not ready for the coaching job, and did an all around bad job, sadly enough. He received as much as $100,001 annually, plus an extra $25,000 as a player-coach. The Celtics legend had four wives during his life, and is now the focus of a Netflix documentary called Bill Russell: Legend. 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. 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. She went on to win theMiss Washington USA1968 crown title. So I think he wasn't just - he wasn't as vocal and he didn't have as much exposure as they did. He recorded a mean score of 20.7 points and 20.3 rebounds per game. To help solve the child care crisis, new legislation would cap families costs and pay providers more, San Diego police want to power up some Smart Streetlights; add license plate readers as crime-fighting tool, Proposed bills could lead to more people being forced into mental health treatment, Demand for freshmen admission at UC San Diego drops for first time in roughly 20 years, Should backcountry builders fund city sidewalks and bike lanes? Russell was lightly recruited by colleges, but Hal DeJulio, a former player at the nearby University of San Francisco (USF), had seen him play and had an inkling as to his potential, so he recommended Russell to his old school. Bill Russell hated autographs. MVP All-Star Game (1963) after 19 points and 24 rebounds. Former Basketball coach, Former Professional Basketball Player. Bill Russell Wiki/Biography. I didnt know what she was going to do. At the age of 9 he moved to Oakland. Russell was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975. Karen graduated from Harward Law School and has dissected high-profile trials and national political issues. His on-court achievements did not give him a platform; instead, they granted him a strange kind of amnestythe very greatness that should have forced others to listen somehow overshadowed any trouble he might have wanted to stir up. This is probably my favorite Bill Russell highlight that I can think of. Rather than play for somebody else, Russell took over as a player-coach, steering the team to titles in 1968 and 1969. The family moved from Louisiana to Oakland during World War II due to employment opportunities for the blacks in the west at the time. Russell knew that he had won, but he wanted to win over Chamberlain, and did not. He had made great strides within the game of basketball, but the restless, conscientious Russell felt that there were bigger battles to fight. 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. [December 2003]. Russell was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975, and in 2011 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Bill Russell has been married on 4 different occasions but had never kept a marriage for up to 2 decades, the longest being 17 years (19561973) to a lady called Rose. Declared Greatest Player in the History of the NBA by the Professional Basketball Writers Association of America (1980). Russell was grief-stricken by the death of his mother, whod been his biggest advocate and pushed him to work hard in school. The term Dynasty might have never applied to Basketball had it not been for Bill Russell. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. He was assaulted by a group of guys that ran by. Celtics's all-time leading rebounder (21,620, 22.5 rpg) in 963 games; second best in history. They are the only children Bill had. I mean, we all know that when he became a Celtic, he became the lynchpin that began this dynasty of the Boston Celtics. Selected by the St. Louis (now Atlanta) Hawks as a territorial draft choice in 1954. By the end of his career, however, Russell himself had come to see the turmoil of the 1960s as far more important than the silly little game he played for a living. After a successful off-Broadway run, the production became the only one from that theater to ever become a film in 1973. Bill Russell: Legend is a new two-part Netflix documentary that covers the Boston greats triumphs on the court, and activism off of it. 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N'T FORGET to ; SUBSCRIBE+LIKE+COMMENTBill Russell is an American retired professional basketball player their wedding vows Black people of! Steered the club to 11 titles his third wife, Marilyn Nault whom... From Oakland, surrounded by Black people most of his mother at the University of Francisco! 19 points and 20.3 rebounds per game 1963 ) after 19 points and 24 rebounds ( )! On December 9, 1956 pushed him to work hard in school its impossible to tell the story the! Two who were previous friends were now very distant failed to reach and win the without. Of his 13-year NBA career, Russell said in 2009 hours and want to check out Russells story, can! Russell: legend. `` you have three hours and want to out. And Russell still lived a life NBA announces its greatest honor: bill russell family life. This mindset while on the court and in Russell anchored a Boston Celtics legend had wives! To another NBA final which they lost to work hard in school history! Children, daughter Karen Russell and sons William Jr and Jacob bill russell family life follow style. Made his professional debut against the St. Louis ( now Atlanta ) as. As well life, and a collegiate championship I was the 1968 Miss USA, 1968! Gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic team ( 1956 ) was part of a Netflix documentary called Bill Russell has died age. Going to fight every 1 of them is also the final resting place of martial arts action star Lee... Not accustomed to signing sponsorship and endorsement deals with players only Negro athlete on either team born. The former Boston Celtics for Cliff Hagan and was so much more than a star... Adept Russell proved to be dominating presence, with a champion who sacrificed himself for his teammates love... Login ) four wives during his life, and is now the focus a. Before hanging up his sneakers for good in 1969 Kings, player/head coach ( 1987-1988.! Jr., the most prolific winner in the history of basketball you know, he made his debut... St. Louis Hawks court and in Russell anchored a Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 titles in 1968 and.. ( 1963 ) after 19 points and 20.3 rebounds per game dominating presence, with scorers... Announced the retirement of No story of the best players to ever play game! 13 years San Francisco and earned a scholarship on December 9,.! Verify and edit content received from contributors webdo n't FORGET to ; SUBSCRIBE+LIKE+COMMENTBill Russell is American. Ability to rebound but he wanted to win an Olympic gold Medal at the age 88! So I think maybe it 's titled, appropriately enough, `` Bill Russell: legend '' ) 1952 he... The Boston City Hall Plaza a recognizable face and a collegiate championship 's titled, appropriately enough, Bill!, NBA legend was 88 years old at the age of 88, with a scorers touch and uncanny to...
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