Bill Russell

The greatest champion in NBA history, Bill Russell basically was the Boston Celtics throughout his playing career, which lasted from his rookie season in 1956-57 to his final year in 1968-69. During those 13 seasons, Russell established himself as one of the greatest defenders in basketball history while making 12 All-Star teams, winning four rebounding titles, earning MVP five times, and collecting a record 11 NBA championships. Russell spent his entire career in Boston and was a pioneer both on and off the floor before making the Hall of Fame in 1975. He also served as a player-coach for Boston and became the first Black coach in NBA history, as well as the first Black coach to win a championship. In 2011, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama for his accomplishments as a basketball player and his work in the civil rights movement. Russell died on July 31, 2002, at 88 years old.

• Birthday: Feb. 12, 1934
• Died: July 31, 2022
• Birthplace: Monroe, Louisiana
• Listed height: 6-foot-10
• Listed weight: 215 pounds
• High school: McClymonds High School (Oakland, California)
• College: San Francisco (1953-56)
• NBA draft: Round 1, Pick No. 2 in the 1956 NBA Draft
• NBA team: Boston Celtics
• NBA position: Center
• NBA number: No. 6
• NBA playing career: 1956-69