Bill Russell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Bill Russell

Russell with the Boston Celtics, c. 1960
Personal information
Born	(1934-02-12)February 12, 1934 Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	July 31, 2022(2022-07-31) (aged 88) Mercer Island, Washington, U.S.
High school	McClymonds (Oakland, California)
Listed height	6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight	215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
College	San Francisco (1953–1956)
NBA Draft	1956 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2nd overall
Selected by the St. Louis Hawks
Pro career	1956–1969
Coaching career	1966–1988
Career history
As player:
1956–1969	Boston Celtics
As coach:
1966–1969	Boston Celtics
1973–1977	Seattle SuperSonics
1987–1988	Sacramento Kings
Career highlights and awards
As player: 11× NBA champion (1957, 1959–1966, 1968, 1969) 5× NBA Most Valuable Player (1958, 1961–1963, 1965) 12× NBA All-Star (1958–1969) NBA All-Star Game MVP (1963) 3× All-NBA First Team (1959, 1963, 1965) 8× All-NBA Second Team (1958, 1960–1962, 1964, 1966–1968) NBA All-Defensive First Team (1969) 4× NBA rebounding champion (1958, 1959, 1964, 1965) NBA anniversary team (25th, 35th, 50th, 75th) No. 6 retired by Boston Celtics No. 6 retired by NBA leaguewide SI Sportsman of the Year (1968) 2× NCAA champion (1955, 1956) NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (1955) UPI College Player of the Year (1956) 2× Helms Player of the Year (1955, 1956) 2× Consensus first-team All-American (1955, 1956) WCC Player of the Year (1956) 3× First-team All-WCC (1954–1956) No. 6 retired by San Francisco Dons Presidential Medal of Freedom (2011) As coach: 2× NBA champion (1968, 1969)
Career NBA statistics
Points	14,522 (15.1 ppg)
Rebounds	21,620 (22.5 rpg)
Assists	4,100 (4.3 apg)
Medals Men's basketball Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 1956 Melbourne Team competition

William Felton Russell (born February 12, 1934 – died July 31, 2022) was an amazing American professional basketball player. He played as a center for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. Bill Russell was the main player for the Celtics team that won an incredible 11 NBA championships in just 13 years! Many people think he is one of the greatest basketball players ever.

Russell also played college basketball for the San Francisco Dons. He led them to win two NCAA championships in a row in 1955 and 1956. He was even named the best player of the NCAA tournament. Later, he captained the U.S. national basketball team that won a gold medal at the 1956 Summer Olympics. Winning all these championships made Russell one of only eight players in basketball history to achieve the Triple Crown.

After being picked by the St. Louis Hawks in the 1956 NBA draft, Russell was traded to the Boston Celtics. With Russell as their starting center and a key defensive player, the Celtics won their first NBA championship in 1957. They then went on to win an NBA record eight championships in a row from 1959 to 1966. Russell was named the NBA Most Valuable Player five times and was an NBA All-Star 12 times. His amazing rebounding, defense, and leadership made him one of the best players of his time.

Standing at 6 feet 10 inches tall, with a 7-foot-4-inch arm span, Russell was incredible at shot-blocking and man-to-man defense. These skills were a big reason for the Celtics' success. Russell also led the NBA in rebounds four times and had 12 seasons with over 1,000 rebounds. He is still second all-time in total rebounds and rebounds per game. Russell was also the first Black player to become a superstar in the NBA. For the last three seasons of his career (1966–1969), he was a player-coach for the Celtics. This made him the first Black NBA coach to win a championship. He retired after helping the Celtics win the 1969 NBA championship.

After his playing career, Russell coached the Seattle SuperSonics from 1973 to 1977 and the Sacramento Kings from 1987 to 1988. He also worked as a TV commentator and wrote several books. Russell was honored many times, including being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice. In 2009, the NBA renamed the NBA Finals MVP Award in his honor. In 2011, President Barack Obama gave Russell the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his achievements in basketball and his work for civil rights. After he passed away in 2022, the NBA retired his #6 jersey across the entire league. This made him the only player in NBA history to receive such an honor.

Bill Russell's Early Life and Family

William Felton Russell was born on February 12, 1934, in Monroe, Louisiana. When Bill was growing up, many places had unfair rules that separated people based on their skin color. His family faced challenges because of this.

When Russell was eight years old, his family moved to Oakland, California. They were looking for better opportunities. His father worked hard in different jobs to support the family. Bill was very close to his mother, Katie. It was a very sad time for him when she passed away when he was 12. His father then became a steelworker to be closer to his children. Russell said his father became his childhood hero.

Discovering Basketball Skills

When he was younger, Bill Russell found it hard to learn basketball. Even though he was a good runner and could jump high, he didn't quite understand the game. He was even cut from his junior high school team.

At McClymonds High School, his coach, George Powles, saw Bill's natural athletic talent. He encouraged Bill to practice the basic skills. After being cut from the junior varsity team, Powles gave him a spot on the varsity team. He even bought Bill a membership to a community center for a year. Coach Powles' kind words helped Bill feel more confident.

Russell soon became known for his special way of playing defense. He realized that jumping to block shots was very effective, even though coaches at the time taught players to stay on their feet. He stuck with his unique style, and it worked! Bill also spent a lot of time studying how other players moved. He would practice in front of a mirror to prepare for defending against them.

At first, college recruiters didn't notice Russell. But a recruiter named Hal DeJulio from the University of San Francisco (USF) saw him play. DeJulio noticed that Bill had an amazing natural talent for the game, especially in important moments. Russell was excited to accept the scholarship offer. He realized that basketball was his chance for a better future, and he was determined to make the most of it.

College Basketball Success

Playing for the San Francisco Dons

Russell practicing a free throw at the University of San Francisco, c. 1953–56

Bill Russell started college at USF in 1952. He quickly became the starting center for coach Phil Woolpert. Coach Woolpert focused on strong defense, which was perfect for Russell's skills. In 1954, Woolpert made history by starting three African-American players: K. C. Jones, Hal Perry, and Russell.

Russell was very quick for a tall player. He used his speed to guard players other than just the opposing center. He would quickly move to help defend against forwards and aggressively challenge their shots. This made the USF team very strong in college basketball.

Sports Illustrated magazine once wrote that if Russell learned to score more, they would have to change the rules of basketball. And they did! The NCAA made the lane wider for his junior year. After he graduated, they even made a new rule against basket interference to counter how big players like Russell played.

Russell during his college career at USF, 1955

During his college games, Bill and his Black teammates sometimes faced unfair treatment and unkind words from people, especially when playing away from home. Once, they were even denied rooms at hotels because of their skin color. This made the team stronger and more determined. Russell later said that these experiences made him strong. He decided to always put the team first and not worry too much about individual awards.

On the court, Russell led USF to win NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956. They even had an amazing streak of 55 wins in a row! In one game, he had 26 points, 27 rebounds, and 20 blocks. UCLA Bruins coach John Wooden called Russell "the greatest defensive man I've ever seen." While at USF, he and K.C. Jones also helped create a play called the alley-oop.

Track and Field Talents

Besides basketball, Russell was also a talented track and field athlete at USF. He was excellent at the high jump. In 1956, he was ranked as the seventh-best high-jumper in the world! He won several high jump titles that year, even tying the record of 6 feet 9 1/4 inches. This was before the modern "Fosbury Flop" technique was used. Russell said he could have gone to the Olympics for high jump but chose basketball instead.

Olympic Gold Medalist

Before starting his NBA career, Bill Russell was the captain of the 1956 U.S. men's Olympic basketball team. The team competed at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. There was a small debate because some thought he was no longer an amateur player since he had signed a professional contract. But Russell was determined to play in the Olympics.

Under coach Gerald Tucker, Russell helped the U.S. team win the gold medal. They won every game, including beating the Soviet Union national basketball team 89–55 in the final. The U.S. team was incredibly dominant, winning by an average of 53.5 points per game. Russell was the team's top scorer, averaging 14.1 points per game. His former college teammate and future Celtics teammate, K. C. Jones, was also on the team.

Professional Basketball Career

The Harlem Globetrotters invited Russell to join their team. However, Russell felt disrespected because the owner only spoke to his college coach and not to him directly. Because of this, he turned down their offer. Russell then decided to enter the 1956 NBA draft.

Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach really wanted Russell. He believed Russell's strong defense and rebounding were exactly what the Celtics needed. At that time, most teams focused on offense, so Auerbach's idea was unusual. The Celtics traded two important players, Ed Macauley and Cliff Hagan, to the St. Louis Hawks to get Russell. This trade is now seen as one of the most important trades in sports history. The Celtics also drafted K. C. Jones and Tom Heinsohn that year, meaning they picked three future Hall of Famers!

Boston Celtics: A Dynasty Begins (1956–1969)

Rookie Year and First Championship

Russell in 1957

Because of his Olympic commitment, Russell joined the Celtics in December 1956. The 1956–57 Boston Celtics season saw a starting lineup with five future Hall of Famers: Russell, Heinsohn, Frank Ramsey, Bill Sharman, and Bob Cousy. In his first game, Russell impressed everyone with his strong defense and shot-blocking. Before Russell, the Celtics were a high-scoring team but lacked defense. With Russell, they became a defensive powerhouse, forcing opponents to make mistakes and scoring easy points on fast breaks.

Russell was an amazing help defender. He was so quick that he could quickly double-team an opponent and get back to his own player. He was also famous for his shot-blocking. This allowed his teammates to play more aggressively, knowing Russell was protecting the basket.

Russell sometimes faced negative attention from the public and media. He was known for being private and not often giving autographs. He had a good relationship with many teammates, but not always with his fellow rookie, Heinsohn. However, he and Cousy got along well.

In his rookie season, Russell averaged 14.7 points and a league-leading 19.6 rebounds per game. The Celtics finished with a great record and made the 1957 NBA playoffs. In his first playoff game, Russell had 16 points and 31 rebounds, plus 7 blocks (which weren't officially counted then). Opposing coaches were amazed by his impact. The Celtics swept the Syracuse Nationals and reached the 1957 NBA Finals. In a thrilling Game 7 against the St. Louis Hawks, Russell made a famous play, blocking a shot that saved the game. The Celtics won, earning their first NBA championship!

The next season, Russell averaged a league-record 22.7 rebounds per game and was voted the NBA Most Valuable Player. However, he was only named to the All-NBA Second Team. This happened often because players voted for MVP, while the media voted for All-NBA teams. The Celtics lost in the 1958 NBA Finals when Russell was injured.

Eight Straight NBA Championships

In the 1958–59 NBA season, Russell continued to dominate, averaging 23.0 rebounds per game. The Celtics won 52 games and swept the Minneapolis Lakers 4–0 in the 1959 NBA Finals, winning another title. The Lakers coach said, "We don't fear the Celtics without Bill Russell. Take him out and we can beat them... He's the guy who whipped us psychologically."

The 1959–60 NBA season brought a new rival: 7-foot-1-inch Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia Warriors. Their matchups were called "The Big Collision" and "Battle of the Titans." While Chamberlain often scored more points, Russell's Celtics usually won. On February 5, 1960, Russell had an incredible 51 rebounds in one game! The Celtics won their third championship in four years, beating the Hawks in a tough seven-game series. Russell had 22 points and 35 rebounds in the deciding game.

The Celtics continued their winning streak, taking the 1961 NBA Finals in five games. In the 1961–62 NBA season, Russell had a career-high 18.9 points per game and led the Celtics to 60 wins. He was again named MVP. In the playoffs, Russell's defense against Chamberlain was key. In Game 7, Russell held Chamberlain to 22 points, far below his average, and the Celtics won. In the 1962 NBA Finals, against the Los Angeles Lakers with Elgin Baylor and Jerry West, Russell had his first career triple-double. In a thrilling Game 7 that went to overtime, Russell scored 30 points and grabbed 40 rebounds, leading the Celtics to another championship.

After Bob Cousy retired in the 1962–63 NBA season, the Celtics drafted John Havlicek. Russell continued to shine, winning his fourth MVP award and the NBA All-Star Game MVP. The Celtics won the 1963 NBA Finals against the Lakers again. In 1964, the Celtics won their sixth straight title, and Russell led the NBA in rebounds for the first time since Chamberlain joined the league. Russell called this the best team of his era.

In the 1964–65 NBA season, the Celtics won a record 62 games. Russell won his second straight rebounding title and his fifth MVP award. He once grabbed 49 rebounds in a single game! In the playoffs, Russell's defense against Chamberlain was legendary. In one game, he had 12 points, 28 rebounds, 7 assists, 10 blocks, and 6 steals! The Celtics won the 1965 NBA Finals. They continued their dominance in the 1965–66 NBA season, winning their eighth consecutive title.

Player-Coach and Final Championships

Russell and coach Red Auerbach, with his trademark victory cigar, after winning the 1966 NBA championship

Before the 1966–67 NBA season, coach Red Auerbach retired. Bill Russell agreed to become the new head coach of the Celtics, making him the first Black head coach in NBA history. He told journalists, "I wasn't offered the job because I am a Negro, I was offered it because Red figured I could do it." Russell made it clear to his teammates that he would be their coach first.

In his first season as coach, the Celtics' amazing championship streak ended. Chamberlain's Philadelphia 76ers had a record-breaking season and beat the Celtics in the playoffs. Russell showed great sportsmanship by visiting Chamberlain in the locker room to congratulate him. After this loss, Russell's grandfather saw Black and white Celtics players getting along well. He told Bill how proud he was to see such harmony.

In the 1967–68 NBA season, Russell, at 34, still averaged 18.6 rebounds per game. A sad national event occurred during the playoffs, deeply affecting both teams. Despite this, the Celtics faced the 76ers again. No NBA team had ever come back from a 3–1 deficit in a playoff series, but the Celtics did! Russell's defense against Chamberlain was crucial. Boston then beat the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1968 NBA Finals, giving Russell his tenth title.

During the 1968–69 NBA season, Bill Russell faced personal challenges and was deeply affected by important events happening in the country. He felt tired and less energetic. The aging Celtics had their worst record in years. However, Russell and the Celtics surprised everyone by winning against the 76ers and Knicks. They reached the 1969 NBA Finals to face the Lakers, who were favored to win. The Lakers' owner even printed leaflets for a victory celebration before Game 7, which motivated the Celtics even more.

In Game 7, the Celtics held on for a 108–106 victory. Russell claimed his eleventh championship in thirteen years! At 35, in his last NBA game, he had 6 points, 21 rebounds, and 6 assists. After the game, Russell went to console Jerry West, the Lakers star, who was upset about the loss.

Days later, Russell abruptly retired, surprising many. He sold his retirement story to Sports Illustrated, which led to some criticism from fans and journalists who felt he left the Celtics without a coach or a center. Without Russell, the Celtics missed the playoffs the next season for the first time in many years.

Russell's Earnings and Rivalry with Wilt Chamberlain

Bill Russell was one of the first NBA players to earn a lot of money. His rookie contract was $24,000, almost as much as his teammate Bob Cousy, who was the top earner. Russell never had to work a second job during the offseason, unlike many other players. When Wilt Chamberlain became the first NBA player to earn $100,000 in 1965, Russell immediately asked for $100,001, and he got it!

Russell defending Wilt Chamberlain in 1969

For most of their careers, Russell and his great rival, Wilt Chamberlain, were good friends. They even spent holidays together. However, their friendship faced a tough challenge after a crucial playoff game in 1969. Bill Russell made some comments about Wilt Chamberlain's injury that Wilt found hurtful. This caused a long period where they didn't speak.

They didn't talk for over twenty years until Russell personally apologized to Chamberlain. After that, they became friends again and were often seen together. When Chamberlain passed away in 1999, Russell gave a eulogy, saying they weren't rivals but had a great competition, and would "be friends through eternity."

Chamberlain generally scored and rebounded more than Russell in their games. However, Russell's Celtics teams won far more often, especially in the playoffs, winning seven out of eight series against Chamberlain's teams.

Life After Playing Basketball

Russell at the White House in 2011

In 1971, Russell became a commentator for NBA games on TV. His famous No. 6 jersey was retired by the Celtics in 1972. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975. Russell often chose not to attend these public ceremonies because of his complicated relationship with the media. However, he did attend his second Hall of Fame induction in 2021, this time for his coaching career.

After retiring as a player, Russell coached the Seattle SuperSonics and the Sacramento Kings. While he led the SuperSonics to the playoffs for the first time, his coaching style didn't quite fit the team. Russell faced some financial difficulties after his playing career, with some business ventures not working out as planned.

Russell became a vegetarian, took up golf, and worked as a TV commentator. He also wrote books and even appeared in an episode of Miami Vice. For many years, he lived a private life on Mercer Island, Washington.

After Chamberlain's death in 1999, Russell became more public. In 2006, he was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2009, the NBA renamed the Finals MVP award the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award in his honor. President Barack Obama awarded Russell the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011, recognizing his achievements and his work for social justice. In 2017, Russell received the first-ever NBA Lifetime Achievement Award.

In 2017, Russell showed his support for social justice by posting a photo of himself taking the knee on Twitter. He wore his Presidential Medal of Freedom and wrote, "Proud to take a knee, and to stand tall against social injustice."

Bill Russell's Amazing Accomplishments and Legacy

Russell (first from left, front row) posing along other former players with the Championship Trophy for the 2005 NBA Legends Tour

Bill Russell is one of the most successful athletes in North American sports history. He won an incredible eleven NBA championships with the Boston Celtics in just thirteen seasons. Two of these were won as a player-coach. He is famous for changing how defense was played in the NBA. Russell was the first of only five players to win an NCAA championship and an NBA championship in back-to-back seasons. He also won two state championships in high school and an Olympic gold medal in 1956. This makes him one of only eight players to achieve the Triple Crown (NCAA, NBA, and Olympic gold). His role as the first Black head coach in the NBA was also very important.

In his first full NBA season (1957–58), Russell became the first player to average over 20 rebounds per game for an entire season. He did this ten times in his career! He is one of only two NBA players (the other being Wilt Chamberlain) to grab more than 50 rebounds in a single game. He still holds the NBA record for rebounds in one half with 32. Russell is second all-time in total rebounds and rebounds per game in the regular season. He also holds many playoff rebounding records. Russell was known as one of the most clutch players, winning all eleven deciding games he played in.

Russell being awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama at the White House, February 2011

Russell was considered the ultimate defensive center. He was known for his intense defense, high basketball intelligence, and strong will to win. He was excellent at guarding players one-on-one, blocking shots, and grabbing defensive rebounds. Wilt Chamberlain said Russell's timing as a shot-blocker was unmatched. Former Knicks player Bill Bradley called Russell "the smartest player ever to play the game." On offense, he was great at putbacks and making quick passes to start fast-breaks. He also had a good left-handed hook shot. While he wasn't a top scorer (averaging 15.1 points), his main focus was always on elite defense.

Bill Russell was incredibly focused on winning. He would get so nervous before important games that he sometimes felt sick, but this just showed how much he cared about playing his best. He once said he had to be "almost in a rage" to play basketball, where nothing mattered outside the court.

Russell won five NBA MVP awards, which is tied for second all-time. He was selected to the All-NBA First Team three times and the Second Team eight times. He was also a 12-time NBA All-Star. In 1970, The Sporting News named Russell the "Athlete of the Decade." Many consider him one of the best NBA players ever.

Former NBA coach Don Nelson said, "There are two types of superstars. One makes himself look good at the expense of the other guys on the floor. But there's another type who makes the players around him look better than they are, and that's the type Russell was." In 2009, the NBA Finals MVP award was named after him. In 2022, the NBA announced that Russell's No. 6 jersey would be retired across the entire league. This was the first time a jersey had been retired league-wide in NBA history. Players who were already wearing No. 6, like LeBron James, can continue to wear it.

In 2013, the city of Boston honored Russell with a statue in City Hall Plaza. The statue shows him playing, surrounded by 11 pillars representing his 11 championships. In 2020, the West Coast Conference, Russell's college league, created the "Russell Rule." This rule requires member schools to include people from underrepresented communities in the final candidates for athletic director and coaching jobs.

Awards and Honors

Basketball Triple Crown

NBA

• 11× NBA champion (1957, 1959–1966, 1968, 1969)
• 5× NBA Most Valuable Player (1958, 1961–1963, 1965)
• 12× NBA All-Star (1958–1969)
• NBA All-Star Game MVP (1963)
• 3× All-NBA First Team (1959, 1963, 1965)
• 8× All-NBA Second Team (1958, 1960–1962, 1964, 1966–1968)
• NBA All-Defensive First Team (1969)
• 4× NBA rebounding champion (1958, 1959, 1964, 1965)
• NBA Lifetime Achievement Award (2017)
• NBA anniversary team (25th, 35th, 50th, 75th)
• No. 6 retired by Boston Celtics
• No. 6 retired by NBA leaguewide
• Statue at Boston City Hall Plaza
• NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Trophy named in Russell's honor (2009)

As coach

• 2× NBA champion (1968, 1969)

USA Basketball

• Olympic Gold Medal (1956)

NCAA

• 2× NCAA champion (1955, 1956)
• NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (1955)
• UPI College Player of the Year (1956)
• 2× Consensus first-team All-American (1955, 1956)
• WCC Player of the Year (1956)
• No. 6 retired by San Francisco Dons

Media

• Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year (1968)
• Sporting News Athlete of the Decade (1960s)
• Sports Illustrated's Muhammad Ali Legacy Award (2016)

National

• Presidential Medal of Freedom (2011)

Halls of Fame

• United States Olympic Hall of Fame – Class of 1986 (as a member of the 1956 Olympic gold medalist team)
• FIBA Hall of Fame – Inaugural Class of 2007
• 2× Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
  • Class of 1975 – as individual
  • Class of 2021 – as coach
• National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame – Inaugural Class of 2006
• Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame – Inaugural Class of 1980

NBA Career Statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Bill Russell post-season statistics

Year	Team	GP	MPG	FG%	FT%	RPG	APG	PPG
1957†	Boston	10	40.9	.365	.508	24.4	3.2	13.9
1958	Boston	9	39.4	.361	.606	24.6	2.7	15.1
1959†	Boston	11	45.1	.409	.612	27.7	3.6	15.5
1960†	Boston	13	44.0	.456	.707	25.8	2.9	18.5
1961†	Boston	10	46.2	.427	.523	29.9	4.8	19.1
1962†	Boston	14	48.0	.458	.726	26.4	5.0	22.4
1963†	Boston	13	47.5	.453	.661	25.1	5.1	20.3
1964†	Boston	10	45.1	.356	.552	27.2	4.4	13.1
1965†	Boston	12	46.8	.527	.526	25.2	6.3	16.5
1966†	Boston	17	47.9	.475	.618	25.2	5.0	19.1
1967	Boston	9	43.3	.360	.635	22.0	5.6	10.6
1968†	Boston	19	45.7	.409	.585	22.8	5.2	14.4
1969†	Boston	18	46.1	.423	.506	20.5	5.4	10.8
Career		165	45.4	.430	.603	24.9	4.7	16.2

Head Coaching Record

Personal Life

Russell in 2005

Bill Russell lived in Mercer Island, Washington, for almost 50 years. In 1959, he became the first NBA player to visit Africa. He was also a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity during his college years.

Marriages and Children

Russell was married to his college sweetheart, Rose Swisher, from 1956 to 1973. They had three children: a daughter named Karen, and two sons, William Jr. and Jacob. They later divorced. In 1977, he married Dorothy Anstett, who was Miss USA in 1968. They divorced in 1980. In 1996, Russell married his third wife, Marilyn Nault, who passed away in 2009. At the time of his death, Russell was married to Jeannine Russell.

Russell's Personality

The New York Times once described Russell as a person with "pride, intelligence, an active and appreciative sense of humor, a preoccupation with dignity." He was known for being very private and sometimes cold towards people he didn't know well, especially journalists. However, with his teammates and friends, he was open and friendly.

Russell's paternal grandfather had a motto: "A man has to draw a line inside himself that he won't allow any man to cross." Russell's grandfather bravely stood up to groups who tried to stop him from building a school for Black children. Bill Russell adopted this motto, saying, "If you disrespect that line, you disrespect me."

Death

Bill Russell passed away at his home in Mercer Island, Washington, on July 31, 2022, at the age of 88. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said that Russell was "the greatest champion in all of team sports."

Images for kids

• 

  Russell (first from left) watches as Chicago Packers player Walt Bellamy attempts to block Tommy Heinsohn in a 1961 game

See also

In Spanish: Bill Russell para niños