Bill Russell Biography - Growing Up, College Champion, Chronology, Awards And Accomplishments, Celtics Star, Civil Rights Advocate
basketball coach boston national
1934-
American basketball player
Bill Russell, the Boston Celtics' Hall of Fame center who almost single-handedly redefined the game of basketball, was, in the words of Basketball's Big Men by David Klein, "the standard against whom all others will be judged." A big man who specialized in defense rather than scoring, Russell was the ultimate winner. After winning two National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) titles at the University of San Francisco, and an Olympic gold medal in 1956, he led the Boston Celtics to eleven league championships in thirteen years, a string that is virtually unparalleled in professional sport, including eight consecutive National Basketball Association (NBA) titles between 1959 and 1966, and two in 1968 and 1969 while himself the Celtics coach. On an individual level—a level Russell largely disdained in favor of team performance—he was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player five times. The first African American to coach in the NBA—indeed he was the first to coach a major sport at the professional level in the United States—Bill Russell was also an impassioned and intelligent advocate of civil rights both on and off the basketball court for blacks and America's other minorities.
Sketch by Gerald E. Brennan
Additional Topics
Bill Russell was born to Charles Russell and Katie King in Monroe, Louisiana in 1934. Racism was pervasive in Louisiana at the time, and a dangerous confrontation with a white man led Russell's father—who was known as Mr. Charlie—to move his family to the North. After a brief stop in Detroit, Michigan, Russell, his parents and his older brother Charlie, settled in Oakland, Cal…
Using his newfound technique, Russell's game improved by leaps and bounds. He was well on his way to becoming a dominant player when he entered USF in the fall of 1952. Russell joined the varsity team, the Dons, as a sophomore. He and his roommate, K.C. Jones—who would play with Russell on the great Celtics teams of the 1950s and 1960s—discussed basketball incessantly. In Russ…
In early 1957, Russell joined the Celtics. Despite its potential—besides being coached by Auerbach, it included Bob Cousy and Tommy Heinsohn—the Celtics team Russell joined had never won an NBA championship. Few in Boston thought they would do so with Russell. Writers complained that the team had given up two proven players for a player who would never make it as a pro. But Russell&#…
Despite his fierce dedication to basketball during his career as a player and coach, Bill Russell was keenly aware that there was a world beyond the court. Beginning in the late 1950s, he was an active participant in the struggle by American blacks for full civil rights. Early in his career Russell charged the NBA with maintaining a de facto quota system which limited the number of blacks on each …
(With Bob Ottum) "The Psych … and My Other Tricks." Sports Illustrated, October 25, 1965: 32—34. (With William McSweeny) Go Up for Glory. New York: Berkely, 1966. (With Tex Maule) "I Am Not Worried about Ali." Sports Illustrated, June 19, 1967: 18—21.
(With Taylor Branch) Second Wind: The Memoirs of an Opinionated Man. New York: Ballantine Book…
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User Comments
5 months ago
ughh this did not help me with my report at all
12 months ago
I am your second cousin on your mother’s side Katie King in Monroe, Louisiana and Octavia Henderson was her sister. I Loved our uncle nicknamed Jambo who moved to Chicago and we moved to Detroit. And my aunt Erma has been living in Oakland, California for over 45 years. Along with your other uncles,first cousins and just a whole bunch of family there the old has now passed away. But Aunt Erma still living and Aunt Francis her sister is still living in that same house for over 60 years in Monroe. Wow! Funny how my daddy died a month ago without meeting you. I've watched you career sore over the years and I have admired your thrive for excellences. My instructor asked the students to write about two famous people that I admire so I am writing about you. A long lost consin that I never had the pressure of meeting.I was born in Monroe at St. Francis Hospital in 1957 you’re lucky year. If you are interested in contacting me please email me back. I have many tall tales to tell you about your mother’s sister that I love so very much and she loved Katie! Sincerely, Margaret Ann Henderson
over 1 year ago
IT IS COOL!
over 1 year ago
Paige
You don't have WHEN Bill Russell accomplished these things. You have a year, but don't have specific dates. It not very helpful because I'm doing a report on him. I don't Want To Get An F.
Thanks
'Paige
almost 3 years ago
I would like to express special congratulation & thanks to Mr. Russell for visiting Liberia. In about 1960, in a remote african town of Liberia, I was on that little dirt court when he demostrated the sport of Basketball to young kids. He traveled to Harper City Maryland County, that little town with my father Mr.C. Wellington Campbell & Mr. Jeff Chesson.
We had learned that Mr. Russell was purchasing some farm land in Liberia, What happened to that?
Rich Campbell