He also served a three-season (19661969) stint as player-coach for the Celtics, becoming the first black coach in the NBA and the first to win a championship. [56] In previous years, the Celtics had been a high-scoring team but lacked the defensive presence needed to close out tight games. [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. 18 on ESPN's "50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th Century" list in 1999. Karen has a B.A. He grew up in a racially segregated neighbourhood where his family was often subjected to rampant acts of racism. [109] Journalists were often treated to the "Russell Glower", described as an "icily contemptuous stare accompanied by a long silence". [115] He attended his 2021 induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach. She ended up speaking with him for nine hours. Bill Russell's first wife was his childhood love. And so the Celticsall we looked for was: 'Can he play?' Boston then beat the Los Angeles Lakers 42 in the 1968 NBA Finals, giving Russell his tenth title in twelve years. "[204] Russell was also known for his natural authority. At age 35, Russell contributed with 6 points, 21 rebounds, and 6 assists in his last NBA game. 1 in NBA history for defensive win shares at 133.6, with Tim Duncan in second at 106.3. [158][159] In 2007, he was voted the third best center of all-time by ESPN behind Abdul-Jabbar and Chamberlain. He is depicted in-game, surrounded by 11 plinths representing the 11 championships he helped the Celtics win. A post shared by Bill Russell (@realbillrussell). In the 1961 NBA playoffs, the Celtics defeated the Syracuse Nationals 41 in the Eastern Division Finals. When I sent you to Harvard, I expected you to be able to do the same. on November 1, 2013. [211], Chamberlain outscored Russell 30 to 14.2 and outrebounded him 28.2 to 22.9 in the regular season, and he also outscored him 25.7 to 14.9 and outrebounded him 28 to 24.7 in the playoffs. 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. 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. [184][185] He was a resident of Mercer Island, Washington, for over four decades. Coming to the particulars of Karens profession, she frequently appears on networks such as MSNBC and CNN as a legal-political analyst, plus she often provides commentary on basketball-related matters on ESPN. 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. He has all three children with his first wife, Rose Swisher. [18][169] However, the NBA players who currently wore the number 6 jersey (i.e. Russell has always worn a jersey with No. Rusell states, It was one bedroom, so my brother and I both had rollaway beds. He unfortunately passed away from cancer back in 2016 at the early age of 58, according to NBC News. The NBA legend was a victim of racism, and not even his basketball fame helped him. It hence comes as no surprise the Reading Memorial High School as well as Seattle Central Community College graduate was also known as Dollar Bill for invariably helping those down on their luck. Auerbach replied that Gottlieb's statements were "absolutely ridiculous" and said any controversy was "a question of sour grapes". Her birthday is January 20, 1962. 6 jersey to be retired throughout NBA", "NBA players who currently wear No. Karen Russell, Jacob Russell, William Russell Jr. Rose Swisher got married to her husband, Bill Russell on 9 December 1956. her husband Basketball player Bill Russell was his college sweetheart, she got divorced from him in 1973. He was convinced that the U.S. was a corrupt nation and that he was wasting his time playing something as superficial as basketball. Russell was equally notable for his rebounding abilities, and he led the NBA in rebounds four times, had a dozen consecutive seasons of 1,000 or more rebounds,[12] and remains second all time in both total rebounds and rebounds per game. He tied the knot with three different gals. The fans could do or think whatever they wanted. Like almost all Southern towns and cities of that time, Monroe was very segregated and the Russells often struggled with racism in their daily lives. However, Russell fought a long and tough battle off the court as well. [98] His second choice was Cousy, who declined the invitation, stating that he did not want to coach his former teammates. [109] Russell was also notorious for his refusal to give autographs or acknowledge the Celtics fans, and was called "the most selfish, surly and uncooperative athlete" by one pundit. Your login session has expired. [19] While there, they fell into poverty and Russell spent his childhood living in a series of public housing projects. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 25, 2016. [20] Since Russell's previous experiences with white authority figures were often negative, warm words from Powles reassured him. [110] Although White became a standout Celtics player, Boston lacked an All-Star center, went 3448 in the 196970 NBA season, and failed to make it to the 1970 NBA playoffs, marking the first time since 1950 that they did not make the playoffs. . Following Chamberlain's death in October 1999, Russell returned to prominence at the turn of the millennium. [78] At that time, he became the fourth player in Celtics history to have a triple-double, joining Macauley, Cousy, and K. C. If I looked at it objectively, detached myself, it would be a deficiency. . On February 8, 2023, she shared an Instagram post to her page, @karenkenyattarussell, in which she discussed the Netflix documentary about her father called Bill Russell: Legend. The NBA legend was 88 years old at the time of his death. Read More: Bill Russells Wives: Where Are They Now? Bill Russell was the father of four children from three different women. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. At the time of his death, Bill was married to his fourth wife, Jeannine. 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. Bill Russell (left), star of the Boston Celtics, is congratulated by coach Arnold "Red" Auerbach after scoring his 10,000th point in the NBA game against the Baltimore Bullets in Boston Garden on . [219] The FBI maintained a file on Russell and described him in their file as "an arrogant Negro who won't sign autographs for white children". Bill Russell's selection to the Basketball Hall of Fame for his coaching career was announced on May 16, 2021. . [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. 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. Bill Russell. Rules on Defense, Coach of Warriors Says", "The 'Coleman Play' introduced and defined Bill Russell's never-say-die leadership to Boston", "12 times NBA awards were pretty ridiculous", "Syracuse Nationals at Boston Celtics Box Score, February 5, 1960", "Boston Celtics at Philadelphia Warriors Box Score, November 24, 1960", "1960 NBA Finals Game 2: St. Louis Hawks at Boston Celtics Box Score, March 29, 1960", "1960 NBA Finals Game 7: St. Louis Hawks at Boston Celtics Box Score, April 9, 1960", "Celtics Give Sharman Championship Sendoff", "Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers Box Score, April 16, 1962", "Boston Celtics Players to have recorded a triple-double", "1962 NBA Finals Game 7: Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics Box Score, April 18, 1962", "Cincinnati Royals vs Boston Celtics Box Score, January 31, 1963", "Kennedy Greets Celtics, but Bill Russell Sleeps", "New York Knicks at Boston Celtics Box Score, February 10, 1963", "1963 NBA Finals Game 3: Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers Box Score, April 17, 1963", "On this day: Pandemic pause anniversary; Russell's 49 boards; Potapenko trade", "Detroit Pistons vs Boston Celtics Box Score, March 11, 1965", "1968 Sportsman of the Year: Bill Russell, Boston Celtics coach-player", "Bill Russell Reported Favoring Movie Career", "Celtics legend Bill Russell receives second induction into Basketball Hall of Fame, as coach this time", "Successful, short-lived coaching days get Bill Russell into Hall again", "Bill Russell, NBA great and former Sonics coach, dies at 88", "Bill Russell Leaves Lasting Impact on Kings", "Watch Saturday Night Live Episode: November 3 Bill Russell", "Culture Now Is a Great Time to Read Bill Russell's Memoir", "Best Betting Scenes: Bill Russell Goes Rogue on 'Miami Vice', "Russell Redux: A Private Man Bursts Back Into the Public Eye", "Shaq heeds Russell's call for peace; Lakers hold on for win", "Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame to induct founding class", "Sports legend Bill Russell receives an honorary degree at the 2007 Suffolk University commencement", "Honorary degrees awarded at Commencement's Morning Exercises", "Dartmouth grads hear 'nose dive' warning", "Naismith and FIBA Hall of Fame: Full list of inductees enshrined at Springfield and Madrid", "Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement Sports", "The Finals MVP to Receive Bill Russell MVP Award", "All-Star Top 10, from Shaq's moves to boos for Spurs", "Kobe shows maturity of last seven years in leading Lakers to title", "Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients (Photos)", "Inside the Iconic Obama Basketball Games at the White House", "25 players that won a NCAA and NBA championship", "Jordan, Jabbar, Russell and Magic won NCAA and NBA titles, but it's become a rare feat", "Quick quiz: Only four players have been", "How Bill Russell's coaching career opened doors for NBA's Black head coaches", "Bill Russell: How historic success as the league's first Black coach paved the way for others", "NBA Legend Bill Russell Became First Black Coach In Pro Sports 46 Years Ago Today", "Biggest moments for NBA's 15 Greatest Coaches", "Top 10 NBA Players With The Most Finals And Regular Season MVPs Combined", "Ranking Every NBA All-Defensive First Team in History from Worst to First", "NBA 75: Bill Russell, 1960s Athlete of the Decade (TSN Archives)", "ESPN's 'SportsCentury' Goes Back-Back-Back", "Top N. American athletes of the century", "Daily Dime: Special Edition The game's greatest giants ever", "Ranking the top 74 NBA players of all time: Nos. Bill Russell's daughter, Karen, was born in 1962. [5] Chamberlain said Russell's timing as a shot-blocker was unparalleled. I'm certainly going to ask Maurice Podoloff." Nault became a stepmother to three of Bill's children: Karen Russell, William Russel Jr., and Jacob Russell. My wife and Russell's laugh. [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. [5] This took place during his last season (1969) and was the first season the NBA All-Defensive Teams were selected. Who is Sarina Wiegman's husband Marten Glotzbach and do couple have children? [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.
