- WILLIAM FELTON RUSSELL, WILLIAM FRANCIS McSWEENY . She was born on January 20, 1962. The oldest son of Bill Russell, William Felton Russell Jr, who was named after the 11-time NBA champion, unfortunately passed away in 2016. Still, there was constantly a flow of people from Louisiana that my father would let stay with us. Oliver Hudson. [222] When Russell originally retired, he demanded that his jersey be retired in an empty Boston Garden. Karen has a B.A. In his 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Boston Celtics, Bill Russell, who has died aged 88, won . [86] The Celtics reached the 1963 NBA Finals,[87] where they again defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, this time in six games. But there's another type who makes the players around him look better than they are, and that's the type Russell was. [49] On offense, Russell's output was limited and his NBA career personal averages show him to be an average scorer (15.1 points career average), a poor free-throw shooter (56.1%), and average overall shooter from the field (44%, not exceptional for a center). [68] Both men awed onlookers with "nakedly awesome athleticism",[68] and while Chamberlain outscored Russell 30 to 22, the Celtics won 115106, and the match was called a "new beginning of basketball". Bill Russell's daughter Karen Russell a legal and political analyst was born Karen Kenyatta Russell on January 20, 1962, graduated from Harvard Law School and Georgetown University; she has contributed to the Huffington . [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". [61] In Boston, both fans and journalists felt betrayed because Russell left the Celtics without a coach and a center, and he sold his retirement story for $10,000 to Sports Illustrated. [19] In another incident, Russell's mother was walking outside in a fancy dress when a white policeman accosted her. When Chamberlain died in 1999, Chamberlain's nephew said that Russell was the second person he was told to call. In the last play, Sam Jones used a triple screen by Bailey Howell, Larry Siegfried, and Havlicek to hit a buzzer beater that equalized the series. Russell later called it the best team of his era and the best defense of all time. Thank you for . After the next provocation, Russell pounded Felix to the point of unconsciousness, paid a modest $25 fine, and rarely was the target of cheap fouls thereafter. Bill and Jeannine did not have any kids together. He married Rose Swisher on 9th December 1956, after dating her for several years. 9 December 1956. [50] He had the option to skip the tournament and play a full season for the Celtics, but he was determined to play in the Olympics. In the interim, Russell won an Olympic gold medal in 1956. At one point, the article reads, The girl [Dorothy] listed as one of lifes ambitions the chance to teach high school for mentally retarded children. NBA legend Bill Russell, who won 11 NBA titles with the Boston Celtics, dies at 88. He actually enrolled at the School of Art Institute in Chicago for a Bachelors in Design-Visual Communications upon graduating from Californias Galileo Academy of Science & Technology, just to then kickstart his career. On July 31, 2022, shetweeteda series of pictures with her late father, captioned: "Keanu Reeves on death, 'I know that the ones who love us will miss us.'". Here's what we know about his kids and family. [187], In 1959, Russell became the first NBA player to visit Africa. It thus comes as no surprise that she often shares her memories with them on her social media platforms, as seen below, all the while fulfilling her duties as a writer, voting advocate, public speaker, and consultant. Russell agreed to the project so long as it promoted and raised money for mentorship programs. Johnny Havlicek stole the ball! I was first team All American. The block preserved Boston's slim 103102 lead with 40-odd seconds left to play in regulation, saving the game for the Celtics. She then chose to stay well away from the spotlight while still co-parenting their children, but alas, it all ended on September 11, 2014, as she passed away at the age of 78 owing to some natural health problems. The Celtics made good use of the fact that the Los Angeles Lakers had exhausted the St. Louis Hawks in a long seven-game Western Conference Finals,[75] and Boston won the 1961 NBA Finals in five games. "[153] In the book, Russell wrote: "Whenever I leave the Celtics locker room, even Heaven wouldn't be good enough because anywhere else is a step down With Red [Auerbach] and Walter Brown, I was the freest athlete on the planet. [60] He alienated Celtics fans by saying: "You owe the public the same it owes you, nothing! He is depicted in-game, surrounded by 11 plinths representing the 11 championships he helped the Celtics win. In fact, she is even a qualified attorney as she earned her Juris Doctorate (JD) degree from Harvard Law School after obtaining a Bachelors in Philosophy as well as Government from Georgetown University. 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Bill Russell and Rose with their son, William Felton Jr, in 1958, Former Boston Celtics basketball star Bill Russell alongside his daughter, Karen Kenyatta Russell, England win Women's Euro 2022 LIVE REACTION: Party at Trafalgar Square as thousands celebrate, Queen sends praise, Proud captain Williamson vows to lap up England's Euros triumph and calls on fans to go to WSL games, We should be cheering on female footie stars in the same way we support the men, Women's football will never be the same again thanks to Lionesses' extraordinary victory, Adam Peaty stunned at Commonwealth Games as Brit hero loses 100m race for first time EVER and misses medal, England's Lionesses roar with pride as they celebrate their history-making Euro 2022 triumph. And so the Celticsall we looked for was: 'Can he play?' 6 to be retired across NBA following legend's death last month", "Chat Transcript: Celtics Legend Bill Russell", "Russell 'So good, he scares you' Mikan", "Bill Russell Named Boston Celtic Coach; Basketball Star To Draw $125,001 Salary a Record for a Pro Coach or Manager He'll Take over Next Season", "Who's Better At Hoops: Bill Russell Or Frank Robinson? In 2010 Russell received . 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. She works as an attorney, corporate trainer, and political strategist, according to the Huffington Post. Nothing went on outside the borders of the court. He tied the knot with three different gals. [58], At that time, Russell received much negative publicity as a player. July 31, 2022 10:57 AM. He later said: "The most successful television is done in eight-second thoughts, and the things I know about basketball, motivation, and people go deeper than that. [162] In 2022, he was ranked No. West Coast Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year, San Francisco Dons men's basketball 195455 NCAA champions, San Francisco Dons men's basketball 195556 NCAA champions, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award, List of National Basketball Association annual minutes leaders, List of National Basketball Association annual rebounding leaders, List of National Basketball Association career minutes played leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff rebounding leaders, List of National Basketball Association career rebounding leaders, List of National Basketball Association longest winning streaks, List of National Basketball Association single-game rebounding leaders, List of National Basketball Association rookie single-season rebounding leaders, List of National Basketball Association single-season rebounding leaders, List of NBA players with most championships, List of NCAA Division I men's basketball career rebounding leaders, "Bill Russell, Henri Richard Famous Elevens Gallery", "195356 NCAA Championship Seasons: The Bill Russell Years", "Bill Russell's Trailblazing Legacy Is Secure (Even If Stats Can't Measure It)", "Bill Russell Is A Champion By Defintion [sic]", "Where does Bill Russell rank among best centers in NBA history? At 85 years old, he is still active going to watch basketball games with his wife Jeannine Russell, as he shows in his Instagram account. What was Bill Russell's life like while he was racking up 11 rings? '"[203], In a retrospective interview, Russell described the state of mind he felt he needed to enter in order to be able to play basketball: "I had to almost be in a rage. [20] Since Russell's previous experiences with white authority figures were often negative, warm words from Powles reassured him. @celtics . Karen is the founder of Next Gen: #Blacklivesmatter and is a . He also served a three-season (19661969) stint as player-coach for the Celtics, becoming the first black coach in the NBA and the first to win a championship. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. [33], The games were often difficult for the USF squad, as Russell and his black teammates became targets of racist jeers, particularly on the road. Bill Russell is survived by three children he shares with his first wife and college sweetheart, Rose Swisher. [67][108] The Celtics held on for a 108106 victory and Russell claimed his eleventh championship in thirteen years. [109] Journalists were often treated to the "Russell Glower", described as an "icily contemptuous stare accompanied by a long silence". Read More: Bill Russells Wives: Where Are They Now? . 6 months ago. Bill Russell poses with his Championship rings in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1996. [1] The Celtics won the 1966 NBA Finals and their eighth consecutive title. However, Russell fought a long and tough battle off the court as well. [52] The U.S. dominated the tournament, winning by an average of 53.5 points per game. @NBA: The great Bill Russell joins the fellas, live on . [68] The matchup between Russell and Chamberlain became one of basketball's greatest rivalries. 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 sound of Russell throwing up] is a welcome sound, too, because it means he's keyed up for the game, and around the locker room we grin and say, 'Man, we're going to be all right tonight. As Russell takes to the stage to accept the award, some fans may grow curious about his family and children. He lost his mother when he was just 12 years old. I could always be myself with them and they were always there for me. Rose Swisherwas Bill's first wife. After much debate, Auerbach agreed to give up Hagan and the Hawks made the trade. As a dedicated human rights activist, Russell fought against . [49] He ranks No. Brown, who gave him a high $24,000 rookie contract, just $1,000 shy of the top-earning veteran Bob Cousy.[121]. She graduated as an English Major from the University of Washington. These statues were modeled by a local boy from Somerville and multiple girls from the surrounding area. [3] Russell is widely considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Russell's daughter, Karen, is a legal . Bill answered, I played for the Celtics, period I did not play for Boston. Bill marched with Martin Luther King Jr. when he delivered his "I Have a Dream . [49], Russell was considered the consummate defensive center, noted for his defensive intensity, basketball IQ, and will to win. Heinsohn felt that Russell resented him because the former was named the 1957 NBA Rookie of the Year. . In a game called as "unreal" and "devoid of emotion", the Sixers lost 127118 on April 5. As a child, he witnessed how his parents were victims of racial abuse, and the family eventually moved into government housing projects to escape the daily torrent of bigotry. 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. [118] Russell also served as general manager of the SuperSonics during his coaching tenure,[119] and held the same position with the Kings during the 198889 season. After USF kept Holy Cross Crusaders star Tom Heinsohn scoreless in an entire half,[31] Sports Illustrated wrote: "If [Russell] ever learns to hit the basket, they're going to have to rewrite the rules. William Felton Russell was born on February 12, 1934 in Monroe, Louisiana. [121], Russell became a vegetarian, took up golf, and worked as a color commentator for CBS and TBS throughout the 1970s into the mid-1980s, but he was uncomfortable as a broadcaster. This attitude contributed to his bad rapport with fans and journalists. Rest in Peace, Bill. 6 in ESPN's NBA 75th Anniversary Team list,[163] and No. In addition, Auerbach had already used his NBA territorial pick to acquire talented forward Tom Heinsohn. "[60] Before the 196162 season, Russell's team was scheduled to play in an exhibition game in Lexington, Kentucky, when Russell and his black teammates were refused service at a local restaurant. The truth is she had to pursue different opportunities to make money for herself since she wanted to attend university, which ultimately led her to the glamorous world of pageantry. [121] Perennially wary of what he long perceived as a racist city, Russell decided to make amends and gave his approval. Karen Russell was born on January 20, 1962 and is a legal and political analyst. Dorothy was reportedly a University of Washington English major at the time of her Miss USA win, and she genuinely intended on evolving into a teacher once everything was settled for good. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Dorothy, who went by Didi, hailed from Kirkland, Washington, and went on to compete at the Miss Universe Pageant in July in Miami Beach of that same year. [48], In the draft, Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach set his sights on Russell, thinking his defensive toughness and rebounding prowess were the missing pieces the Celtics needed. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. In 1956, Russell married his college sweetheart, Rose Swisher. Bill Russells Wives: Where Are They Now. He had invested $250,000 in a rubber plantation in Liberia, where he had wanted to spend his retirement, but it went bankrupt. The couple actually tied the knot on December 9, 1956, with Bill soon making it clear he owed a vast majority of his ambition, compassion, drive, and success to his supportive wife, Rose. [172] The art is by Ann Hirsch of Somerville, Massachusetts, in collaboration with Pressley Associates Landscape Architects of Boston. 85.235.64.191 He made a free throw, blocked a shot by Sixers player Chet Walker, grabbed a rebound off a miss by Greer, and passed the ball to teammate Sam Jones, who scored to clinch the win. They were happily wed until 1973. [77], In the 1962 NBA Finals, the Celtics met the Los Angeles Lakers of forward Elgin Baylor and guard Jerry West. [154] He was selected three times to the All-NBA First Teams (1959, 1963, 1965) and eight Second Teams (1958, 196062, 1964, 196668), and was a 12-time NBA All-Star (19581969). Russell also ignored Heinsohn's request for an autograph on behalf of his cousin and openly said to Heinsohn that he deserved half of his $300 Rookie of the Year check. She never stopped talking to me. As if this isnt enough, her written pieces have been featured in the New York Times, the Seattle Times, and the Huffington Post, amongst many other publications, and she has a TEDx talk on Mentoring. Would love your thoughts, please comment.