[3] Russell is widely considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time. The couple actually tied the knot on December 9, 1956, with Bill soon making it clear he owed a vast majority of his ambition, compassion, drive, and success to his supportive wife, Rose. Frank Robinson, a future member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, was one of Russell's high school basketball teammates. July 31, 2022 10:57 AM. We won 28 out of 29 games. As Chamberlain was often defended by Celtics backup center Wayne Embry, the press speculated that Russell was worn down. . If I looked at it objectively, detached myself, it would be a deficiency. The Celtics won Game 4 in an upset, but the Hawks prevailed in Games 5 and 6, with Pettit scoring 50 points in the deciding Game 6. Marilyn Nault Russell would end up as the step-mother of Bill's children from his previous marriage to Rose Swisher. Bill Russell Speaks at Ceremony for New Statue, For the unveiling of the new statue in Boston City Hall Plaza, Bill Russell speaks about his career as both an athlete and activist, as well as the importance of mentoring and friendship. Russell. "We had a few white kids come to that camp . Jacob H. Russell was born on July 6, 1959. [13], Russell's life was marked by an uphill battle against racism and controversial actions and statements in response to racism. Bill marched with Martin Luther King Jr. when he delivered his "I Have a Dream . 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 . Russell, who had a difficult relationship with the media, did not attend either ceremony. Because Russell ignored virtually any well-wisher who approached him home or away, including the vast majority of media, his autograph was among the most difficult to secure of any professional athlete of his time. [2] Russell and Henri Richard of the National Hockey League are tied for the record of the most championships won by an athlete in a North American sports league. "[207] Years after Taylor's book, Russell published the autobiographical account Red and Me, which chronicled his lifelong friendship with Auerbach. [4][8] While at USF, he and Jones helped pioneer a play that later became known as the alley-oop. [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. Thats because it features not just first-hand accounts of some of the most renowned basketball experts but also archival footage to really explore every aspect of the titular athletes actual being. [64], The Celtics won 49 games and made the first berth in the 1958 NBA playoffs, where they met in the 1958 NBA Finals with their familiar rivals, the St. Louis Hawks. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. The teams split the first six games. [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. Russell played 48 games, averaging 14.7 points per game and a league-high 19.6 rebounds per game. [151] He played in eleven deciding games (ten times in Game 7s, once in a Game 5) and ended with a 110 record. Yet for now, if you simply wish to learn more about the individuals carrying on his legacy in their last name his children William Bill Jr., Jacob, and Karen Russell weve got you covered. @NBA: The great Bill Russell joins the fellas, live on . 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. Read More: Bill Russells Wives: Where Are They Now? The NBA legend was married Rose Swisher, his college sweetheart, from 1956 to 1973. The ex-wife of Bill Russell. [5][41] His stint as coach of the Celtics was also of historical significance,[146][147] as he became the first black head coach in the NBA,[14] when he succeeded Red Auerbach. What was Bill Russell's life like while he was racking up 11 rings? [59] Despite their different ethnic backgrounds and lack of common off-court interests, his relationship with Cousy was amicable. When their family uprooted to Oakland, California, they lived in the projects. Schayes, who had become the 76ers coach, said: "The Celtics can thank the Good Lord for Bill Russell. Television Pundit and Lawyer Karen Russell is the only daughter of Bill Russell. [8][38] His awards and achievements include eleven NBA championships with the Boston Celtics in thirteen seasons,[52] two of which were won as player-coach,[142] and he is credited with having raised defensive play in the NBA to a new level. Bill Russell's daughter, Karen, was born in 1962. Advertisement. [105] Russell pulled himself together and put up 9.9 points and 19.3 rebounds per game;[1] the aging Celtics stumbled through the regular season. He shared all three kids with his first wife Rose Swisher. In the interim, Russell won an Olympic gold medal in 1956. [67] On November 7, 1959, Russell's Celtics hosted Chamberlain's Warriors and pundits called the matchup between the best offensive and defensive centers "The Big Collision" and "Battle of the Titans". In this article, we have covered all details about him. Russell described himself as an avid reader of Dell Magazines' 1950s sports publications, which he used to scout opponents' moves for the purpose of defending against them. However, it is reported that he lives with his wife Sara Marckx Russell in Washington State. Bill . Bill Russell and Marilyn Nault Russel did not have children together. She then chose to stay well away from the spotlight while still co-parenting their children, but alas, it all ended on September 11, 2014, as she passed away at the age of 78 owing to some natural health problems. [79] Game 7 was tied one second before the end of regular time, when Lakers guard Rod Hundley faked a shot and passed out to Frank Selvy, who missed an open eight-foot last-second shot that would have won Los Angeles the title. He tied the knot with three different gals. [127] On November 17, the two-time NCAA champion Russell was recognized for his impact on college basketball as a member of the founding class of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. I'm certainly going to ask Maurice Podoloff." She then chose to stay well away from the spotlight while still co-parenting their children, but alas, it all ended on September 11, 2014, as she passed away at the age of 78 owing to some natural health problems. [5], On February 5, 1960, Russell had 23 points, 51 rebounds, and 5 assists in a 124100 win over the Syracuse Nationals. "[5] After the Division Finals, the Celtics had an easier time in the NBA Finals,[95] winning 41 against the Los Angeles Lakers. [98] On April 16, 1966, Russell agreed to become head coach of the Celtics, and a public announcement was made two days later. At one point, Karen asked her father if it was difficult to send her to school in Boston, where she attended Harvard Law School. Her birthday is January 20, 1962. Last modified on Sun 4 Sep 2022 13.55 EDT. [49] He ranks No. [126] Russell's Rules was published in 2001, and he convinced Miami Heat superstar center Shaquille O'Neal to bury the hatchet with fellow NBA superstar and former Los Angeles Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant and end the ShaqKobe feud in January 2006. According to Taylor, he often perceived insults even if others did not. [155] In 1970, The Sporting News named Russell the "Athlete of the Decade". In its announcement, the WCC stated: "The 'Russell Rule' requires each member institution to include a member of a traditionally underrepresented community in the pool of final candidates for every athletic director, senior administrator, head coach and full-time assistant coach position in the athletic department. NBA legend and Hall of Famer Bill Russell died Sunday at the age of 88. [148][149], In his first NBA full season (195758), Russell became the first player in NBA history to average more than 20 rebounds per game for an entire season, a feat he accomplished ten times in his thirteen seasons. Russell was so quick that he could run over for a quick double team and make it back in time if the opponents tried to find the open man. In a 2018 Halloween post, Bill wrote that he and Jeannine "go together like Bacon & Eggs". At age 35, Russell contributed with 6 points, 21 rebounds, and 6 assists in his last NBA game. [140] Russell and Bryant were spectators to a basketball game for Obama's 50th birthday at the White House tennis court. [52] The U.S. dominated the tournament, winning by an average of 53.5 points per game. Russell later called it the best team of his era and the best defense of all time. BOSTON Celtics legend, Bill Russell, had three children with his first wife, Rose. In the 1961 NBA playoffs, the Celtics defeated the Syracuse Nationals 41 in the Eastern Division Finals. [56] Auerbach assigned him to shut down the Hawks' main scorer and Russell impressed the Boston crowd with his man-to-man defense and shot-blocking. He is said to have made a conscious decision to put the team first and foremost, and not worry about individual achievements. Oliver Hudson. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 25, 2016. Three women by the names of Rose Swisher, Dorothy Anstett, and Marilyn Nault were married off by the 11-time NBA champion. 85.235.64.191 Thus, playing in this team has also added up to the overall . The crowd gave Russell a prolonged standing ovation, which brought tears to his eyes. When he became player-coach in 1966, Russell bluntly said to his teammates that "he intended to cut all personal ties to other players" and seamlessly made the transition from their peer to their superior. "[153] In the book, Russell wrote: "Whenever I leave the Celtics locker room, even Heaven wouldn't be good enough because anywhere else is a step down With Red [Auerbach] and Walter Brown, I was the freest athlete on the planet. [109][220], Russell refused to attend the ceremony when his jersey No. Bill Russell's daughter Karen Russell a legal and political analyst was born Karen Kenyatta Russell on January 20, 1962, graduated from Harvard Law School and Georgetown University; she has contributed to the Huffington . This is a game of habits, and the player with the most consistent habits is the best. He was born William Felton Russell Jr. on November 2, 1957. His 1956 rookie contract was worth $24,000 (equivalent to $239,207 in 2021), only fractionally smaller than the $25,000 of top earner and teammate Bob Cousy. The couple tied the knot in 1956 before parting ways in 1973. She and Bill tied the knot on December 9, 1956, and reportedly met in college. [190], Russell died at his Mercer Island, Washington, home on July 31, 2022, at the age of 88. His father gave up his trucking job and became a steelworker in order to be closer to his children. Rose Swisherwas Bill's first wife. [193] When Wilt Chamberlain became the first NBA player to earn $100,000 in salary in 1965 (equivalent to $859,873 in 2021), Russell went to Auerbach and demanded a $100,001 salary, which he promptly received. When Russell was eight years old, his father moved the family out of Louisiana and settled in Oakland, California. "[30] The NCAA rewrote rules in response to Russell's dominant play; the lane was widened for his junior year. American basketball player and coach (19342022), 19561958: Rookie champion and early years, 19581966: Eight straight NBA championships, 19661969: Player-coach champion and final years, Racist abuse, controversy, and relationship with Boston fans. . Today, Karen is 57 years old. And that's the kind of guy [Brown] was. Although nearly 16 years younger than Bill Russell, Kansas native Marilyn Nault tied the knot with the basketball legend on . The relationship between the two was tenuous at best. William Felton Russell Jr., also known as "Buddha," lost a courageous battle with cancer. In honoring the legendary athlete, ESPN writes that recipients of the distinguished award, reflect the spirit of Arthur Ashe, possessing strength in the face of adversity, courage in the face of peril and the willingness to stand up for their beliefs no matter what the cost.. [206], Russell was known for his distinctive high-pitched laugh, of which Auerbach quipped: "There are only two things that could make me quit coaching. As a documentary series delving deep into the life of the winningest NBA champion, anchor of Boston Celtics dynasty, and unwavering activist, Netflixs Bill Russell: Legend is simply incredible. His third . Bill answered, I played for the Celtics, period I did not play for Boston. As Russell takes to the stage to accept the award, some fans may grow curious about his family and children. Russell, who once said he owed the public nothing,[109] was not there; he ended his career and cut all ties to the Celtics. [183] Russell was married to Jeannine Russell at the time of his death. In an interview with ESPN, Russell said he wanted the NFL players to know they were not alone.[225]. He Had Three Children with His First Wife. [184][185] He was a resident of Mercer Island, Washington, for over four decades. 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. Bill Russell Lifestyle 2021 Wife, Children, Family, Career, Net worth, Car & House-Bill Russell Regarded as one of the best ever players in the history of . [29] When DeJulio offered Russell a scholarship, he eagerly accepted. The game was tied with two seconds left when Sam Jones sank a clutch shot that won the Celtics the series. [125], Russell made few public appearances in the early 1990s, living as a near-recluse on Mercer Island, Washington, near Seattle. However, since the Russells always preferred to keep their personal experiences well away from the limelight, we only know Bill was often affectionately, unironically referred to as Buddha.. [115] He attended his 2021 induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach. As the teams split the first six games, the tension was so high that in Game 3 Celtics coach Auerbach punched his colleague Ben Kerner and received a $300 fine. Russell's daughter, Karen, is a legal and political analyst, as well as a blogger. [21], Under head coach Gerald Tucker, Russell helped the U.S. national basketball team win the gold medal in Melbourne, defeating the Soviet Union national basketball team 8955 in the final game with an 80 undefeated run. When the Sixers' Hall-of-Fame guard Hal Greer inbounded, Havlicek stole the ball, causing Celtics commentator Johnny Most to scream: "Havlicek stole the ball! After the next provocation, Russell pounded Felix to the point of unconsciousness, paid a modest $25 fine, and rarely was the target of cheap fouls thereafter. I owe so much to him it's impossible to express. "[179], Russell was married to his college sweetheart Rose Swisher from 1956 to 1973. on November 1, 2013. Both of them had three children together. and understanding. [107] Russell then reversed himself and ordered his team to double-team West and Boston won Game 3. Bill Russell is an 11-time NBA champion, and 12-time All-Star and is perhaps the game's greatest champion. Avery Brundage, head of the International Olympic Committee, argued that Russell had already signed a professional sport contract and was no longer an amateur sportsman, but Russell prevailed. Date of Death. [157] Russell ranked No. Arthur was a man of great courage. He is depicted in-game, surrounded by 11 plinths representing the 11 championships he helped the Celtics win. [34] Even after he became a star with the Celtics, Russell was the victim of racial abuse. Although the middle child of Bill Sr. and Rose Swisher (born on July 6, 1959), Jacob is arguably the simplest member of the prominent Russell family in almost every sense of the term. Born on January 20, 1962, Karen is not just Bill Sr. and Roses youngest child but also their only daughter, meaning she was ostensibly always extremely close to both her parents. 101", "The NBA's 75th Anniversary Team, ranked: Where 76 basketball legends check in on our list", "NBA 75: Top 75 NBA players of all time, from MJ and LeBron to Lenny Wilkens", "President Obama Names Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients", "Bill Russell to receive NBA's inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award", "Bill Russell's No. Bill Russell, whose No. [21] In delivering a eulogy for Chamberlain, Russell stated that he did not consider them to be rivals, but rather to have a competition, and that the pair would "be friends through eternity". [17] Shortly after his death in 2022, the NBA retired Russell's #6 jersey league-wide, making him the only player in NBA history to receive the honor. Dorothy Anstett
Born: Kirkland, Washington, United States
Date of birth: 1947-06-28
Spouse: Bill Russell
https://t.co/T9E7sVcZUO pic.twitter.com/se6ka2URg3. Russell's stint with the Kings was considerably shorter, his last assignment ending when the Kings went 1741 to begin the 198788 NBA season. [209] He was livid with Russell and saw him as a backstabber. Russell limited Chamberlain to only two shot attempts in the second half. Who is Bill Russell's First Wife? Boston then beat the Los Angeles Lakers 42 in the 1968 NBA Finals, giving Russell his tenth title in twelve years. [136] He was named as a 2010 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Tune in July 10, this is a special honor! He included the picture below. He led USF to NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956, including a string of 55 consecutive victories, and an unofficial double triple-double with 26 points, 27 rebounds, 20 blocks, 3 steals, and an assist. [21] Of Russell the college basketball player, Mikan said: "Let's face it, he's the best ever. At first, the couple was very happy. [167] On June 15, 2017, Russell was announced as the inaugural recipient of the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award. . The Celtic mythical figure, who is now 88 years old, was involved in several passionate relationships. His marriage with Rose produced 3 children of which one, Karen Russell is a renowned television pundit and lawyer. [160] In 2009, Slam named him the third best player of all-time behind Jordan and Chamberlain. William Felton Russell Jr., Bill Russell's oldest son who was named after the 11-time NBA champion, died in 2016. ", "Basketball Players who Caused Rule Changes by Ron Kurtus", "The Bill Russell Story: More Than A Champion", "NCAA Basketball Tourney History: Two by Four", "Stanford Trackmen Finish Fourth in Fresno Relays; Leamon King Equals Century World Record; Landy Runs Mile in 3.59.1; Russell Nears Mark", "Bill Russell attempting to clear 69 1/4. [78] At that time, he became the fourth player in Celtics history to have a triple-double, joining Macauley, Cousy, and K. C. The first [NBA organization] to hire a black [head] coach was the Boston Celtics, and they've had at least five [black head-coaches] over the years. Chamberlain outscored Russell by 81 points in the series, but the Celtics walked off with a 42 series win. [16] In 2021, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame a second time for his coaching career. Flowers at the feet of Bill Russell's statue at Boston City Hall Plaza, Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, in Boston. He had invested $250,000 in a rubber plantation in Liberia, where he had wanted to spend his retirement, but it went bankrupt. Russell had three children from his first marriage William . After practice, and even during practice breaks, shed encourage me. One of his highest jumps occurred at the WCR, where he achieved a mark of .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}6feet 9+14inches (2.06m);[43] at the meet, Russell tied Charlie Dumas, who would later in the year win gold in the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia for the United States and become the first person to high-jump 7 feet (2.13m). She is a media person, lawyer, and Black-rights activist who has also contributed to publications likeThe New York Times Magazine. [44] Like fellow world-class high-jumpers of that era, Russell used the straddle technique, rather than the Fosbury Flop with which all high jump world records after 1978 have been set. Bill Russell was one of the greatest players in NBA history who was known for his outstanding defense. Bill Russell was born on February 12, 1934 and he died on July 21, 2022 aged 88. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. [188] Russell was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, having been initiated into its Gamma Alpha chapter while a student at University of San Francisco. He still holds the NBA record for rebounds in one half with 32 (vs. Philadelphia, November 16, 1957). Be the first one to comment on this story. In the year 1977, Bill got the divorce from his wife and married, Miss USA named, Dorothy Anstett. [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". 6 jersey was retired by the Celtics on March 12, 1972,[113] Russell had worn the same number 6 at the USF and for the 1956 U.S. Olympic team. [118] Russell also served as general manager of the SuperSonics during his coaching tenure,[119] and held the same position with the Kings during the 198889 season. It hence comes as no surprise Bill and Rose happily welcomed three kids into their lives over the next six years William Bill Russell Jr. (1957), Jacob Russell (1959), and Karen Russell (1962). NBA great Bill Russell died on Sunday with his wife, Jeannine, by his side. Russell Brand and Sen. Bernie Sanders are mad as hell, and they don't want you to take it anymore. Cooper, the Boston Celtics will never embarrass you.' The game featured Shane Battier, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Maya Moore, Alonzo Mourning, Joakim Noah, Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, and Obama's friends from high school. The fans could do or think whatever they wanted. The already hostile atmosphere between Russell and Boston hit its apex when vandals broke into his house in Reading, Massachusetts, covered the walls with racist graffiti, damaged his trophies, and defecated in the beds. [59], At the start of the 195758 NBA season, the Celtics won fourteen straight games and continued to succeed. Russell has always worn a jersey with No. Russell, who was sensitive to any racial prejudice, was enraged by the fact that owner Abe Saperstein would only discuss the matter with Woolpert. Karen is the founder of Next Gen: #Blacklivesmatter and is a . [96], Celtics coach Red Auerbach retired before the 196667 NBA season. [197], In 1966, The New York Times wrote that "Russell's main characteristics are pride, intelligence, an active and appreciative sense of humor, a preoccupation with dignity, a capacity for consideration once his friendship or sympathy has been aroused, and an unwillingness to compromise whatever truths he has accepted. Prior to Game 5, no NBA team had ever come back from a 31 deficit. William Felton Russell was born in Monroe, Louisiana, a small agricultural community where his parents were subjected to the constant indignities that were the lot of African Americans in the Deep South at the time. [71][72] In the 1960 NBA Finals, the Celtics outlasted the Hawks 43 in the series and won their third championship in four years. "[49] That playoff series ended in a dramatic Game 7, when the Sixers were trailing 110109 five seconds before the end, but Russell turned over the ball. He's so good, he scares you. [106], Russell and the Celtics achieved upsets over the 76ers and the Knicks to earn a meeting with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1969 NBA Finals. Bill Russell had all his children with Rose Swisher, his college sweetheart, when he married from 1956 to 1973. [67][108] The Celtics held on for a 108106 victory and Russell claimed his eleventh championship in thirteen years. She has had many amazing accomplishments in her life. People broke into his house and destroyed his trophies, among many other outrageous deeds. In his thirteen years, he averaged a relatively low 13.4 field goals attempted (normally, top scorers average 20 and more),[1] illustrating that he was never the focal point of the Celtics offense, who instead focused on his elite defense. [117] He finished with a 341290 regular season record and was 3427 in the playoffs. Rusell states, It was one bedroom, so my brother and I both had rollaway beds. Johnny Havlicek stole the ball! [20] Russell was closer to his mother Katie than to his father,[20] and he received a major emotional blow when she suddenly died when he was 12 years old. It was back when both Rose and Bill were attending the University of San Francisco in the early to mid-1950s that they first came across one another, only to feel a real spark almost immediately. The 11-time NBA champion with the Boston Celtics and the first Black head coach in the league Bill Russell passed away at the age of 88 on Sunday. The truth is she had to pursue different opportunities to make money for herself since she wanted to attend university, which ultimately led her to the glamorous world of pageantry. As reported by Sportskeeda, William was employed by Cox Trucking. 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. 6 to be retired across NBA following legend's death last month", "Chat Transcript: Celtics Legend Bill Russell", "Russell 'So good, he scares you' Mikan", "Bill Russell Named Boston Celtic Coach; Basketball Star To Draw $125,001 Salary a Record for a Pro Coach or Manager He'll Take over Next Season", "Who's Better At Hoops: Bill Russell Or Frank Robinson? [112] His No. 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. Russell also had seven regular-season games with 40 or more rebounds, the NBA Finals record for highest rebound per game average (29.5, 1959) and by a rookie (22.9, 1957). Since graduating, Karen has devoted her life to racial equality, much like her father.