Russell, outspoken and relentlessly intelligent when it came to matters of race, was not just the NBAs first Black superstar; as the Celtics quickly came to dominate the NBA, he also became an activist on par with Muhammad Ali. He would not let his defeat in 1967 keep him down. Russell took home one more championship before hanging up his sneakers for good in 1969. He played alongside star point guard Bob Cousy for a number of years on the Celtics. However, they divorced in 1973. Named "Sportsman of the Year" by Sports Illustrated (1968). He was never embraced by Boston fans in the way his white teammates were. It was a breakthrough that would change not only his life but, in the long term, basketball itself. In 1969 most of the fabled Celtics had long been gone or had recently retired. 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. 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. He was one of the greatest to ever play the game of basketball and left behind an amazing legacy. Beloved NBA legend Bill Russell has died at the age of 88, his family announced in a statement Sunday. William Jr, Bills first son, was born in 1957 but passed away from cancer in 2016. Omissions? 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. MARTIN: That was award-winning director Sam Pollard. Russell could very easily have never taken up basketball, much less gone on to become one of the sports immortals. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Currently, Russells estimated net worth is about $10 million. They were together from 1956 to 1973. The couple divorced in 1973. His autobiography, Second Wind: The Memoirs of an Opinionated Man (cowritten with Taylor Branch), was published in 1979. 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. Bills wife at the time of his death was Jeannine Russell, previously known as Jeannine Fiorito and Jeannine Maddux. Bill Russell attended the University of San-Francisco and played on the school team presumably due to his height advantage. She married BillRussell in 1977. Thanks, mom. Russell immediately made an impact by improving the Celtics defence with his shot-blocking talent. After taking the first two at home the Lakers returned to the Boston Garden to lose the next two. In addition, he was a high-level sprinter and high jumper on USFs track-and-field team (Wilt Chamberlain, his future archrival, also excelled at track and field up until his pro basketball career). MARTIN: That was award-winning director Sam Pollard. Bills third wife was Marilyn Nault, whom he married in 1996. Due to the demise of his mother, Bills father decided to work in a steel factory in order to provide emotional support for his children. The youngest son of the NBA legend hasn't led a very public life, which is why there isn't much information about him. In 1956 Bill Russell entered the NBA draft. A post shared by ProCity Hoops (@procityhoops). In 1964 they became the first team in the NBA to start an all-Black lineup. But I think this documentary will reset the clock on that and understand Bill from the other perspective, besides being a phenomenal basketball legend. He won the NCAA in his finals and even earned recognition as a shot-blocker and defensive maestro. All rights reserved. While studying at the McClymonds High School, he was introduced to basketball as he participated in the school team. NBA Seattle Supersonics, player/head coach (1973-1977). The Celtics then lost to Los Angeles in the Forum in Game 5, and the Celtics returned to the Boston Garden in game 6 and won that contest. He was born and brought up in a super-rich-class Catholic Christian family from West Monroe, Louisiana, United States. After a successful off-Broadway run, the production became the only one from that theater to ever become a film in 1973. From boycotting a 1961 exhibition game to unmask too-long-tolerated discrimination, to leading Mississippis first integrated basketball camp in the combustible wake of Medgar Evans assassination, to decades of activism ultimately recognized by his receipt of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010.. I didnt know what she was going to do. Bill Russells daughter, Karen, was born in 1962. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. At the age of 9 he moved to Oakland. She detailed the racist vandalism the Russell familys Reading home faced once when they were out of town and listed the racist abuse Bill Russell endured from fans. Bill Russell, a towering figure in the NBA and in American sports history, died at 88 on Sunday, his family announced. He received as much as $100,001 annually, plus an extra $25,000 as a player-coach. However, he still performed well as a player the following season and led the team to yet another NBA championship title. And I hope that one day, in the streets of Boston, children will look up at a statue built not only to Bill Russell the player, but Bill Russell the man.. Russell went to the police, who surmised that raccoons must be the culprits. Due to his height, the NCAA changed some rules that could foster the progress of Bill Russell and other NBA prospects with tall frames. Russell who began his professional career in the NBA in 1956 and ended it in 1969 with a total of eleven NBA championships won, is arguably one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Russell is a resident of Mercer Island, Washington where he stays with his wife. Game Seven in the Finals was one of the most legendary ever played in the history of American sports. While in Oakland he was very poor but became a Former Basketball coach, Former Professional Basketball Player. 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. 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. On joining the Celtics during the mid-season, he made his professional debut against the St. Louis Hawks. 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. President Barack Obama at about 6-foot-2, a taller-than-average individual had to stretch a bit when draping the Presidential Medal of Freedom around Russells neck in 2011, even after Russell crouched down to accommodate the moment. 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. 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. While in Oakland he was very poor but became a skillful basketball player. He was in the audience when King delivered the I Have A Dream speech in Washington in 1963. Their marriage lasted until her death in 2009. 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. Bill Russells family announced his demise through a statement on Sunday, July 31. | 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 Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Its impossible to tell the story of the NBA without also telling the story of Bill Russell. [December 2003]. Holds the NBA single-game record for most rebounds in a half (32) vs. Philadelphia on Nov. 16, 1957. What matters is you stood up for yourself. So why did you want to do this film and why now? Meanwhile, Bills first marriage was to Rose Swisher from 1956 to 1973, Dorothy Anstett from 1977 to 1980, and Marilyn Nault from 1996 to 2009. MARTIN: One of the things that I think people today don't realize is how much he had to put up with as a player. She went on to win theMiss Washington USA1968 crown title. 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 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 shares all three of his children with his first wife and college sweetheart, Rose Swisher, whom he divorced in 1973. He shared all three kids with his first wife Rose Swisher. One of the first players to utilize the blocked shot as a weapon. I knew about the rivalry between him and Wilt Chamberlain. A look at Bill Russells family life Bill was born to Katie and Charles Russell. Featured Image by Bill Russell / Instagram. Copyright 2008-2023 BroBible. Celtics's all-time leading rebounder (21,620, 22.5 rpg) in 963 games; second best in history. Official Sites. July 31, 2022 1:27pm. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Bill Russell Wiki/Biography. And these 5 guys ran by. Despite going through numerous struggles, he managed to stay strong and make the most out of the opportunity that was given to him. Russell would lead these teams over some other among the greatest of all time, including Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Hal Greer, and his most famous rival Wilt Chamberlain.While Russell was rewriting Boston sports history he faced immense racism from the most devout Celtics fan. In the 1958/59 season, the Celtics won the NBA championship with Russell making the most defensive impact in the team. You know, he didn't love the Boston fans. But the Celtics kept winning, and he remained the engine that made them go. 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