bill russell grandchildren

The NBA family just learned this afternoon that Bill Russell, the 11-time champion and Hall of Fame icon of the Boston Celtics, who used that fame to further the civil rights cause in the. [94] In Game 5, Russell contributed with 12 points, 28 rebounds, and 7 assists, plus 10 blocks and 6 steals; blocks and steals became officially recorded statistics in the 197374 NBA season. In this article, we take a look at how many kids Bill Russell had and who they are. [49] After the game, Russell went over to the distraught West, who had scored 42 points and was named the only NBA Finals MVP in history from the losing team, clasped his hand and tried to soothe him. He was notorious for his public surliness and judgmental attitude towards others. In the letter she wrote for The New York Times in 1987, Karen Russell said her family came home from a three-day weekend one night to find their house robbed and vandalized. Bill was born in Milltown, Tennessee on April 14, 1942. [149] He also had 51 in one game, 49 in two others, and twelve straight seasons of 1,000 or more rebounds. [5], In the 196465 NBA season, the Celtics won a league-record 62 games and Russell averaged 14.1 points and 24.1 rebounds per game, winning his second consecutive rebounding title and his fifth MVP award. Career, Awards, and Achievements DeJulio was unimpressed by Russell's meager scoring and "atrocious fundamentals",[29] but he sensed that the young Russell had an extraordinary instinct for the game, especially in the clutch. ", "Bill Russell, K.C. [215] He was quoted as saying: "From my very first year I thought of myself as playing for the Celtics, not for Boston. [4][8] While at USF, he and Jones helped pioneer a play that later became known as the alley-oop. She's also provided commentary on the high-profile cases of NBA players like Kobe Bryant and Jayson Williams. Auerbach agreed to trade Macauley, who had previously asked to be traded to St. Louis in order to be with his sick son, if the Hawks gave up Russell. [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. [117] He finished with a 341290 regular season record and was 3427 in the playoffs. 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. [60], The Celtics finished the 195657 regular season with a 4428 record, the team's second-best record since beginning play in the 194647 BAA season, which guaranteed Russell his first NBA playoffs appearance,[61] where the Celtics met with the Syracuse Nationals, a team led by Dolph Schayes, through the Eastern Division Finals. Russell died on Sunday at the age of 88 with his wife Jeannine by his side, his family said in a statement on Twitter. From his early childhood years, Williams Jr. was fascinated by trucks, and that is why he pursued his passion of being a driver. He was 88. "[65], In the 195859 NBA season, Russell averaged 16.7 points per game and 23.0 rebounds per game. Russell's 51 rebounds in a single game is the second-highest performance ever, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain's all-time record of 55. Hailed as the greatest team player on the greatest team of all time, Bill Russell led the Boston Celtics in the longest championship streak in U.S. sports history. The 11-time NBA champion is survived by his wife Jeannine and two children. Russell anchored a Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 titles in 13 years. Although Russell was a good runner and jumper and had large hands,[20] he did not understand the game and was cut from the team at Herbert Hoover Junior High School. [4] Decades later, Russell explained that his experiences hardened him against abuse of all kinds,[35] saying: "I never permitted myself to be a victim. The Celtics rallied back, winning Game 5 122104 and Game 6 114106, powered by a spirited Havlicek and helped by a terrible Sixers shooting slump. The couple got divorced in 1973. Karen Kenyatta Russell is the daughter of NBA Icon Bill Russel. Celtics owner Walter A. 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, one of the greatest basketball players of all time who led the charge on and off the court, has died, his family announced Sunday. [109] According to Taylor, Russell discounted the fact that his career was facilitated by white people who were proven anti-racists: his high school coach George Powles, who encouraged him to play basketball, his college coach Phil Woolpert, who integrated USF basketball, Celtics coach Red Auerbach, who made him the first black NBA coach and is regarded as an anti-racist pioneer for his no color barrier, and Celtics owner Walter A. In 1975, he was inducted into the basketball hall of fame. Advertisement. [25] Sports journalist John Taylor described it as a watershed event in Russell's life because he realized that basketball was his chance to escape poverty and racism, and he swore to make the best of it. Please logout and login again. Birth Place: On May 6, 1999, the Celtics re-retired Russell's jersey in a ceremony attended by his on-court rival and friend Chamberlain, along with Celtics legend Larry Bird and Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The centerpiece of the Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 championships in 13 years, Russell earned his last two NBA titles as a player-coach the first Black coach in any major U.S. sport . Powered by. [207] The close relationship ended after Game 7 of the 1969 NBA Finals, when Chamberlain injured his knee with six minutes left and was forced to leave the game. By profession, Karen is an attorney and political expert. You are a Negro. When he attempted to leave and find a different station, the attendant stuck a shotgun in his face and threatened to kill him if he did not stay and wait his turn. [5], Despite his limitations on offense, as Russell averaged 15.1 points per game, his rebounding, defense, and leadership made him one of the dominant players of his era. Russell played 48 games, averaging 14.7 points per game and a league-high 19.6 rebounds per game. (2004). Be the first one to comment on this story. Just found out I will be receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. He revealed that his mother died when he was 12. Tonight, Bull Russell will receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2019 ESPYs. [1] Before the January 31, 1963, 18-point, 22-rebound performance in a 128125 win against the Cincinnati Royals at Cole Field House in College Park, Maryland,[83] the Celtics were to tour the White House and Russell had a "Do not disturb" sign on his phone. FILE - Boston Celtics legendary player Bill Russell is greeted at his seat before Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers . 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. "[206] To teammates and friends, Russell was open and amicable; he was extremely distrusting and cold towards anyone else. [59] In the highly-competitive Game 7, Russell tried his best to slow down Pettit, as Heinsohn scored 37 points and kept the Celtics alive;[59] Russell contributed by completing the famous "Coleman Play", as he ran down Hawks forward Jack Coleman, who had received an outlet pass at midcourt, and blocked his shot despite the fact that Russell had been standing at his own baseline when the ball was thrown to Coleman. [169], In 2013, Boston honored Russell by erecting a statue of him on City Hall Plaza. "[165] During the NBA All-Star Weekend on February 14, 2009, NBA Commissioner David Stern announced that the NBA Finals MVP award would be named after Russell. After much debate, Auerbach agreed to give up Hagan and the Hawks made the trade. [104] He is one of four players (along with Cousy, George Mikan, and Bob Pettit) to have made all four NBA anniversary teams: the NBA 25th Anniversary Team (1970), the NBA 35th Anniversary Team (1980), the NBA 50th Anniversary Team (1996),[5] and the NBA 75th Anniversary Team (2021). He had invested $250,000 in a rubber plantation in Liberia, where he had wanted to spend his retirement, but it went bankrupt. They were happily wed until 1973. Arthur was a man of great courage. He was one of five, along with James Naismith, Oscar Robertson, Dean Smith, and John Wooden, selected to represent the inaugural class. [14][190] The news was announced in a Twitter post by his family. "[197] In 2009, Russell wrote his paternal grandfather's motto, passed down to his father and then to him: "A man has to draw a line inside himself that he won't allow any man to cross." BOSTON - Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell died Sunday at the age of 88, his family announced. [127] On May 20, 2007, Russell was awarded an honorary doctorate by Suffolk University, where he served as its commencement speaker. [69] It was the record for most rebounds in a single game until November 24, 1960, when Chamberlain grabbed 55 rebounds against Russell,[13] who led the Celtics to a 132129 win over the Philadelphia Warriors with 18 points, 19 rebounds, and 5 assists. William Lane Russell (Bill), age 78 of Tunnel Hill, Georgia died unexpectedly on November 24, 2020. [179] In 1977, he married Dorothy Anstett, Miss USA of 1968;[179] they divorced in 1980. [48] He was active in the Black Power movement and was among the African-American athletes and the one political leader who came together at the 1967 Cleveland Summit to support Muhammad Ali and his decision to refuse to be drafted. A 1987 essay by Bill Russell's daughter detailed racism the family faced in Mass. 4 in a similar list by The Athletic. When Chamberlain died in 1999, Chamberlain's nephew said that Russell was the second person he was told to call. [5] Russell was elected to one NBA All-Defensive First Team. "[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. Despite going through numerous struggles, he managed to stay strong and make the most out of the opportunity that was given to him. He lost his mother when he was just 12 years old. 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. "[5][120] On November 3, 1979, Russell hosted Saturday Night Live, in which he appeared in several sports-related sketches. Nothing went on outside the borders of the court. Russell later called it the best team of his era and the best defense of all time. [5], On February 5, 1960, Russell had 23 points, 51 rebounds, and 5 assists in a 124100 win over the Syracuse Nationals. I was able to separate the Celtics institution from the city and the fans. [49][89], In the 196364 NBA season, the Celtics posted a league-best 5822 record in the regular season. As Chamberlain was often defended by Celtics backup center Wayne Embry, the press speculated that Russell was worn down. Updated: July 31, 2022 Biography ID: 192868748 Jump to: Biography Memories Family Tree 1 Follower William Russell's Biography As a freshman at McClymonds High School in Oakland,[23][24] Russell was almost cut again;[25] as he saw Russell's raw athletic potential, coach George Powles encouraged him to work on his fundamentals. [98] His second choice was Cousy, who declined the invitation, stating that he did not want to coach his former teammates. [56] Russell never had to work part-time. [65] Many observers thought that Boston could have won had Russell not been injured, but Auerbach commented: "You can always look for excuses We just got beat. [110] Russell notified Auerbach that he was resigning to join a career in television and movies "in order to find new sources of income for the future". Well, that let me know that if I were to accept these as the final judges of my career I would die a bitter old man." August 2, 2022. [98] Third choice Tom Heinsohn also said no because he did not think he could handle the often surly Russell,[98] whom he proposed as a player-coach. 6 in ESPN's NBA 75th Anniversary Team list,[162] and No. [56] He also became famous for his shot-blocking skills and pundits called his blocks "Wilsonburgers", referring to the Wilson NBA basketballs he "shoved back into the faces of opposing shooters". "[178], Russell was married to his college sweetheart Rose Swisher from 1956 to 1973. His family said on social media that Russell died on Sunday, July 31, 2022. [222] In 1995, the Celtics left the Boston Garden and entered the FleetCenter, now known as the TD Garden; as the main festive act, the Celtics wanted to re-retire Russell's jersey in front of a sellout audience. He retired in 1969 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame six years later. Johnny Havlicek stole the ball! Born on November 2, 1957, in Melrose, Massachusetts, William Felton Russell Jr. worked for Cox Trucking for several years. His nickname is Russell William Ellis. ___ (embedded photo)", "Rare Photos of Bill Russell (third photo in gallery", "Eight players who have won NCAA, NBA, and Olympic titles", "2003 draft eventually may be best in history", "Philadelphia Warriors vs Boston Celtics Box Score, January 1, 1957", "Russell of Celtics Violates N.B.A. Russell limited Chamberlain to only two shot attempts in the second half. [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". Following his passing on Sunday at 88, tributes poured in fast and furious . 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. [109] Journalists were often treated to the "Russell Glower", described as an "icily contemptuous stare accompanied by a long silence". Russell's father was once refused service at a gas station until the staff had taken care of all the white customers first. [105] He was 15 pounds overweight, skipped mandatory NBA coach meetings, and was generally lacking energy; after a New York Knicks game, he complained of intense pain and was diagnosed with acute exhaustion. [49] Bill Simmons has estimated that Russell had between 8 and 15 blocks per game in the playoffs. [142] By winning the 1956 NCAA championship with USF and the 1957 NBA title with the Celtics,[143] Russell became the first of only four players in basketball history to win an NCAA championship and an NBA championship back-to-back, the others being Henry Bibby, Magic Johnson, and Billy Thompson. It's all over! [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. She already does volunteer work as a tutor for underprivileged children in her hometown.. The burglars had poured beer on the pool table and ripped up the felt," Karen wrote in the . Auerbach replied that Gottlieb's statements were "absolutely ridiculous" and said any controversy was "a question of sour grapes". Auerbach, Red and John Feinstein. "[212] Describing the Celtics organization, as distinguished from Boston sports fans in the 1950s and 1960s, as very progressive racially, Russell recalled in 2010 a list of the organization's accomplishments on racial progress both in terms of objective milestones and his own subjective experience as a member of the organization. Averaged 16.7 points per game and 23.0 rebounds per game in the 196364 NBA season Russell! 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