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Bill Russell
Winning 11 NBA championships with the Boston Celtics and transforming basketball through defence.
NCAA championships · Eleven NBA titles
- Born
- 12 February 1934
- Birthplace
- Monroe, Louisiana, United States
- Died
- 31 July 2022
More people
Bill Russell
Bill Russell made shot-blocking, rebounding and team defence the foundation of a dynasty. He also broke a coaching barrier while still playing and used his public voice to challenge racial injustice.
Early life
Oakland childhood
His family moved from Louisiana to Oakland when he was a child.
College opportunity
A scholarship to the University of San Francisco gave him a route into elite basketball.
Career
- 1953
San Francisco
Began his varsity college career with the Dons.
- 1956
Boston Celtics
Joined Boston after a draft-day trade and Olympic gold.
- 1966
Player-coach
Succeeded Red Auerbach as Celtics head coach while continuing to play.
- 1969
Playing retirement
Retired after his final championship, later coaching Seattle and Sacramento.
Achievements
NCAA championships
Led San Francisco to consecutive national titles.
Eleven NBA titles
Won 11 championships in 13 playing seasons.
Five MVP awards
Earned five NBA Most Valuable Player awards.
Beyond sport
Civil rights
Joined the 1963 March on Washington and publicly opposed racial discrimination.
Presidential honour
Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗NBA — Bill Russell ↗Photo: Unknown author Unknown author. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
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