NBA Legend and Boston Celtics Great Bill Russell Dead at 88
Bill Russell-- one of the greatest and most accomplished NBA players of all time -- has died.The announcement came courtesy of Bill's own official social media page, which posted Sunday with a sad update. The text says BR passed away peacefully with his wife, Jeannine, by his side. The exact circumstances of his death weren't discussed further. His obit here touches on the fact that he was a civil rights activist during his playing time, with boycotts of certain events and public remarks that spoke out against racism and discrimination that was prevalent throughout the U.S. at the time. Bill is by far one of the GOATs in league history -- evidenced in the fact that the current NBA Finals MVP award is named after him ... something that was instated in 2009. He's been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice, once as a player in 1975, and again as a coach just last year. His career is memorable, especially since he broke into the NBA when it was just being expanded as an organization and getting integrated with Black and white players alike, during a time of segregation in the country.
Boston Celtics great Bill Russell, 11-time NBA champion, dies at 88
Bill Russell, the cornerstone of the Boston Celtics dynasty that won eight straight titles and 11 overall during his career, died Sunday. The Hall of Famer was 88. Over a 15-year period, beginning with his junior year at the University of San Francisco, Russell had the most remarkable career of any player in the history of team sports. At USF, he was a two-time All-American, won two straight NCAA championships and led the team to 55 consecutive wins. And he won a gold medal at the 1956 Olympics. During his 13 years in Boston, he carried the Celtics to the NBA Finals 12 times, winning the championship 11 times, the last two titles while he was also serving as the NBA's first Black coach. A five-time MVP and 12-time All-Star, Russell was an uncanny shot-blocker who revolutionized NBA defensive concepts. He finished with 21,620 career rebounds -- an average of 22.5 per game and led the league in rebounding four times. He had 51 rebounds in one game and 49 in two others and posted 12 straight seasons with 1,000 or more rebounds. Russell also averaged 15.1 points and 4.3 assists per game over his career. Until Michael Jordan's exploits in the 1990s, Russell was considered by many as the greatest player in NBA history.
Front row, from left to right: Bill Russell, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then Lew Alcindor), listen to Ali give his reasons for rejecting the draft during the Vietnam War at a meeting of the Negro Industrial and Economic Union in Cleveland, June 4, 1967. Back row, from left to right: Carl Stokes, Walter Beach, Bobby Mitchell, Sid Williams, Curtis McClinton, Willie Davis, Jim Shorter, and John Wooten.
Bill Russell: ‘A lifetime phenomenon as an athlete’
From Jackie Robinson to Muhammad Ali to Colin Kaepernick, sociologist and longtime civil rights activist Harry Edwards has seen the historical political moments in sports on and off the field for more than 50 years. The civil rights activist, however, is confident there will “never” be another “generational giant” in the sports world like Bill Russell. Russell was widely considered a paramount historical figure in NBA history after winning 11 times with the Celtics in 13 years but was just as well known for being outspoken on social justice issues. The two-time Basketball Hall of Famer was the first African American coach in NBA history and a part of the first all-Black starting five. The Olympic gold medalist was a renowned civil rights advocate who led a player protest when Celtics players were denied service at a restaurant in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1961 and showed his support of NFL players who kneeled during the national anthem in 2017 by posting a photo of himself kneeling on his Twitter account. The five-time NBA MVP also once joined civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr., Cleveland Browns running back Jim Brown and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1967 as they supported boxer Muhammad Ali after he refused to be drafted into the Vietnam War.
Former Celtics coach and president Red Auerbach said it best: "Russell single-handedly revolutionized this game simply because he made defense so important." While Russell contributed significantly on offense, his identity was tied to his defensive performance. He led the league in defensive win shares in 11 of his 13 seasons, including 10 straight from 1958 to 1967. That total is truly remarkable -- no other player led the NBA in this category more than five times (and only George Mikan and Tim Duncan did so).
Key Numbers 3.6
Assists per 36 minutes for Russell. Though he's not known for his passing as much as other facets of his game, that total puts him third among Hall of Fame centers, behind only Bill Walton (4.3) and Wes Unseld (3.8). 5
Seasons in which Russell was league MVP, tying him with Michael Jordan for second all-time. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar edges them with six MVP seasons. 8
Players, including Russell, who won an NCAA title, an Olympic gold medal and an NBA title. 22.45
Rebounds per game in the regular season, good for second all-time behind Chamberlain (22.89). Russell's 24.87 boards per game in the playoffs is first on the all-time list. 133.6
Total defensive win shares for Russell, the most by any player. Trailing him are Tim Duncan (106.3), Abdul-Jabbar and Hakeem Olajuwon (94.5) and Chamberlain (93.9).[size]
Front row, from left to right: Bill Russell, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then Lew Alcindor), listen to Ali give his reasons for rejecting the draft during the Vietnam War at a meeting of the Negro Industrial and Economic Union in Cleveland, June 4, 1967. Back row, from left to right: Carl Stokes, Walter Beach, Bobby Mitchell, Sid Williams, Curtis McClinton, Willie Davis, Jim Shorter, and John Wooten.
Magic Johnson Says the NBA Should Retire No. 6 in Honor of Bill Russell
Bill Russell didn't break the NBA's color barrier as Jackie Robinson did for Major League Baseball; that distinction belongs to another former Celtic, Chuck Cooper. He did so in 1950, three years after Robinson's historic MLB debut. But Russell's made a profound and everlasting impact on sports and society. Russell, the ultimate winner, captured 11 NBA championships in 13 years and went 21-0 in winner-take-all contests, including his collegiate and Olympic triumphs. He won eight of those NBA titles in a row, a feat unlikely to be matched in any sport. And while some make light of the era he played in, Russell repeatedly led his team past some of the best players in the NBA's history, consistently prevailing against.
Two of the NBA championships he celebrated came as a player-coach, becoming the first Black head coach in the history of major team sports. Russell, a champion of civil rights, also marched with Martin Luther King Jr. He participated in the Cleveland Summit in 1967, supporting Muhammad Ali in one of the most important civil rights acts in sports history. And as Boston began desegregating its school systems, Russell didn't shy away from taking a stand in the name of justice and speaking out for what's right.
Bill Russell's 66-year-old University of San Francisco high jump record may never be broken
Bill Russell, who died Sunday at the age of 88, still holds the University of San Francisco school record in the high jump. It’s stood for 66 years. Russell was fond of telling younger generations he could hang in any era, once telling a group of Hall of Fame centers that he would kick their asses. At the West Coast Relays in Fresno in May 1956, Russell high-jumped 6 feet, 9.25 inches (2.06 meters) for the still-standing USF school record. He tied that with Charlie Dumas. Later in ’56, Dumas became the first human being to high-jump 7 feet, and won Olympic gold in Melbourne.
Bill Russell's No. 6 to be retired across NBA following legend's death last month
The NBA will honor the legacy of Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell by retiring his No. 6 jersey for all 30 teams, the league and the National Basketball Players Association announced Thursday. Russell becomes the first player in NBA history to have his jersey retired leaguewide. Additionally, all NBA players will wear a commemorative patch on the right shoulder of their jerseys during the 2022-23 season, and every court will display a shamrock-shaped logo with Russell's No. 6 on the sideline near the scorer's table. Starting with the 2022-23 season, no NBA team will be allowed to issue No. 6 to any player. Players who currently wear No. 6 -- such as Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James may continue to do so. According to Basketball Reference, 25 players, including James, Kristaps Porzingis, Alex Caruso, Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams, wore No. 6 last season. Russell remains second all time in NBA history in rebounds (21,620) and rebounds per game (22.5). He is also the leading rebounder in NBA postseason history with 4,104 total boards and 24.9 rebounds per game.
Inside the movement to retire Bill Russell’s iconic No. 6
The process to retire Bill Russell’s No. 6 throughout the NBA, an unprecedented move and identical to Major League Baseball’s tribute to Jackie Robinson, was swift after Russell’s July 31 death at age 88. According to those close to the final decision, Russell was not approached about the retiring of his number. But it was a discussion that percolated in the NBA offices the past few years, as Russell’s impact on the game continued to grow. Russell developed relationships with many current NBA players, who learned not only about his impact on the floor as one of the greatest defensive players and centers of all time but off the floor, with his social activism. Russell remained a fixture on social media, even supporting former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, posting a photo on Twitter of him kneeling.
Celtics Announce Special Bill Russell City Edition Jerseys: Report
Bill Russell wasn’t just a Boston Celtic legend, he was a legend of life. His impact on society as a whole changed the way sports are played and run today. It just so happens that he played for Boston his entire career, and that’s where he was able to make an impact. His number, number six, has already been retired by the Celtics, and it will now be retired by every other team around the NBA. He will receive the ultimate honor that only two other players in all four of the major American sports have received before – Jackie Robinson and Wayne Gretzky. “According to the Celtics, they will unveil a special Bill Russell tribute 2022-23 City Edition uniform on opening night– a project that the league and team had been collaborating on with Russell himself in recent years – which they will wear a total of 12 times this season,” Karalis tweeted.
Bill Russell honored by congressional resolution led by Ed Markey, Elizabeth Warren, Ayanna Pressley
Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, along with Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley introduced the legislation in honor of the Celtics great, who died on July 31 at 88. Per Markey’s office, the resolution aims to honor Russell’s career and civil rights advocacy. “Bill Russell was a hero, a disruptor, a leader, a giant,” Markey said in a statement. “He was brilliance, fairness, and justice personified. The greatest winner in the history of all sports and the conscience of our city and country. We honor Bill Russell’s legacy as a Celtic, a champion, and a crusader. With a heavy heart, we express our deepest condolences to his friends and family and his fans for this loss.” Russell won 11 championships in 13 seasons and became the first Black head coach in the NBA — leading the Celtics to a pair of titles as a player and coach.
On This Day In NBA History: August 25 - Bill Russell Becomes Highest Paid Player
On this day in 1965, Bill Russell became the NBA’s highest paid player, making one dollar more than his rival Wilt Chamberlain. Bill Russell was an icon across our country due to his basketball career and his involvement in civil rights activism during the 1960’s, specifically during the 1963 March on Washington when Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. What Russell achieved in his career playing basketball was simply remarkable and on this day in 1965, Bill Russell became the NBA’s highest paid player with a contract worth $100,001.
Boston Celtics add No. 6 in parquet paint as part of season-long tribute to Bill Russell
The team has said it will honor Russell in other ways this season, including two nights in his honor one for the Oct. 18 season opener and one on Feb. 12, which would have been his 89th birthday. The Celtics will also wear a special Russell-themed jersey for some of their games. There will also be something on their regular uniforms to honor him.
Bill Russell rookie card goes for $660,000 at auction
A 1957 Topps Bill Russell rookie card sold for $660,000 at auction Thursday, setting a record for a card of the Boston Celtics great who died last year. The sale, conducted by PWCC Marketplace, makes the Russell card the third-most-expensive vintage (pre-1980) basketball card of all time, according to Card Ladder.
This Russell rookie card -- which was graded an 8.5, between mint and near-mint, by Professional Sports Authenticator -- previously held the record for most expensive card of his when it sold for $630,000 in March 2021. There are only three copies of the card graded higher, and they have never surfaced for public auction.
The only other pre-1980 basketball cards that sold for more were a 1948 Bowman George Mikan rookie card ($800,000 in March 2022) and a 1961 Fleer Wilt Chamberlain rookie card ($670,000 in June).
Russell, a civil rights icon who was the first Black coach in any major professional sport and the first to win an NBA title, died July 31 at the age of 88. In August, the NBA announced that Russell's No. 6 would be retired across the league -- a first -- with only players already using the number being allowed to keep it.
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