Bill Russell: Biography, Age, Records, Height, Achievements, Family, and Career Statistics

William Felton Russell (February 12, 1934 – July 31, 2022) was a competent basketball player from 1956 to 1969 for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was the centrepiece of the Celtics dynasty, which managed to win 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career. He was indeed a five-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and a 12-time NBA All-Star. Russell was born on February 12, 1934, in West Monroe, Louisiana, to Charles Russell and Katie Russell. Monroe, like almost all Southern towns and cities at the time, was highly stratified, and the Russells faced racism on a daily basis.

Russell struggled to refine his basketball skills in his early years. Russell was a fast athlete and jumper with big hands, but he didn’t understand the game and was kicked off the Herbert Hoover Junior High School team. We’ll talk about Bill Russell’s life and achievements in this article.

Bill Russell Biography

Real Name: William Felton Russell

Nickname: Russ, Whiskers, Willie, Bill the Hill

Profession: Former Basketball coach, Former Professional Basketball Player

Nature on the Field: Calm

Manager : Russell Spielman

Position: Center

Shirt Number: 6 – Boston Celtics, USA

Bill Russell’s Physical Status:

Height: 6 ft 10 in

Weight: in kilograms- 98Kg

Body measurements: Chest: 40 inches – Waist: 34 inches – Biceps: 12 inches

Eye colour: Dark Brown

Hair colour: Gray

Race / Ethnicity: Black

Bill Russell’s Personal Life:

Date of Birth: February 12, 1934

Date of Death: July 31, 2022

Place of Birth: West Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States

Residence: Mercer Island, King County, Washington, United States

School: McClymonds High School

College: University of San Francisco

Highest Educational Qualifications: Graduation

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Hobbies: Playing Golf, Horse Riding and Watching Movies

Bill Russell’s Personal Life

Mother’s name: Katie Russell

Father’s Name: Charles Russell

Siblings Name: Charlie L. Russell (Brother)

Spouse Name: Marilyn Nault, Dorothy Anstett (Ex), Rose Swisher (Ex)

Children’s Name: Jacob Russell, William Russell Jr., and Karen Russell.

Bill Russell Achievements

1. Bill Russell was the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) first exceptional defensive centre and one of the sport’s most recognisable figures.
2. Russell reached this level in his 2^nd year in the league, 1957-58. That year, he also managed to win his first MVP award while going to lead the Celtics to the best record in the NBA.
3. Russell accomplished the feat against the Syracuse Nationals in 1960. (now the 76ers). Russell’s milestone was only surpassed by Wilt Chamberlain, who retains the league record with 55.
4. Only eight times in the NBA’s 55-year history has the MVP award been given to a player who averaged less than 20 points per game that season. Bill Russell received five of them.

Here are some lesser-known facts about Bill Russell

1. Russell’s family was subjected to racism on numerous occasions, to the point where his father was attacked. When his father left a store to go to another where the service was a little faster, he was held at gunpoint.
2. Bill’s father, Charles Russell, chose to quit Louisiana and travel to California. He arrived in Oakland hoping to find work to support his family due to racial abuse and a lack of job opportunities in Monroe. Bill Russell was impoverished.
3. Russell was a fast athlete and jumper with big hands, but he continued to struggle to establish his basketball skills. His basketball expertise was nil, which made a significant contribution to his being removed from his team during his time at Herbert Hoover Junior High School.
4. In 1956, Russell won a gold medal in the high jump at the West Coast Relays, the Pacific AAU meet, and the Central California Amateur Athletic Union.

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