Date of Birth: February 12, 1934
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
Date of Death: July 31, 2022
Biography
William Felton Russell, commonly known as Bill Russell, was an iconic American professional basketball player recognized for his remarkable contributions to the sport, both on and off the court. Born on February 12, 1934, in Monroe, Louisiana, Russell’s family moved to Oakland, California, during his childhood to escape the pervasive racism of the South. He played college basketball at the University of San Francisco, where he led the team to two consecutive NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956. Russell was known for his defensive prowess, shot-blocking ability, and leadership skills. His professional career began when he was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1956, marking the beginning of an era of dominance in the NBA. Russell played center for the Celtics from 1956 to 1969, during which he won an unprecedented 11 NBA championships, including eight consecutive titles from 1959 to 1966. He was a five-time NBA Most Valuable Player and a twelve-time All-Star. Beyond his playing career, Russell was also a coach, becoming the first African American head coach in NBA history when he took over the role for the Celtics in 1966, leading them to two additional championships. Off the court, Russell was a prominent civil rights activist, known for his outspoken stance against racial injustice. Throughout his life, he received numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011.
5 Interesting Facts about Bill Russell
1. Bill Russell was the first African American to be inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame as a player in 1975.
2. He was known for his fierce rivalry with Wilt Chamberlain, which became one of the most famous matchups in NBA history.
3. Russell won a gold medal at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne as the captain of the U.S. basketball team.
4. He was awarded the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.
5. Russell was known for his unique ability to play “team-first” basketball, emphasizing defense, rebounding, and unselfish play.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Bill Russell
1. “Concentration and mental toughness are the margins of victory.”
2. “The most important measure of how good a game I played was how much better I’d made my teammates play.”
3. “Commitment separates those who live their dreams from those who live their lives regretting the opportunities they have squandered.”
4. “To love someone is nothing, to be loved by someone is something, but to be loved by the one you love is everything.”
5. “Remember, basketball is a team sport. It’s not about how great you are, it’s about how great your team is.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At his peak, Bill Russell’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million.
Children
Bill Russell had three children: 1. William Jr. 2. Jacob 3. Karen
Relevant Links
1. [Wikipedia – Bill Russell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Russell
2. [NBA Hall of Fame Profile](https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/bill-russell/
3. [Biography on NBA.com](https://www.nba.com/history/legends/profiles/bill-russell
