Bill Russell Biography and Career Highlights, Boston Celtics Center Hall of Fame Legend

Long before NBA basketball was known for its up-and-down action on the floor, Bill Russell was the man who revolutionized the game into what we all see today. Bill Russell was such a dominant force in the NBA that a new generation of players was recruited in the hopes of finding one great man who could do it all! Bill Russell led the Celtics to 11 NBA Champions, was nicknamed “Mr. Defense” and was the centerpiece of one of the greatest dynasties to ever play professional sports.

If ever there was a basketball player who deserved to be called an “impact player,” it was Bill Russell. He left his mark on basketball everywhere he played. When he went to the University of San Francisco in 1952, the school didn’t even have a gym. Four years later, the University of San Francisco had two national championships, a 55-game winning streak, and a brand new gym. Russell led San Francisco to the first undefeated season in NCAA history.

As soon as Bill Russell graduated from college, he made his mark on the US Olympic basketball team. The United States sprinted through to win the gold medal in Australia. As a rookie with the Boston Celtics, he led the team to its first World Championship.

From 1959 to 1966, Russell’s impact on the game was at its highest. He was the man who grabbed the rebounds, blocked most of the shots and was the author of the Boston Celtics’ fast break. When Celtics head coach Red Auerbach retired, his chosen successor to him was Bill Russell himself! Becoming the first African-American head coach in professional sports, his impact was felt immediately. The 34-year-old player-coach led his team to the playoffs in two of the most memorable championship runs in basketball history. Russell and his hilltop players outperformed younger teams just beginning to dominate the brand of basketball he introduced to basketball more than a dozen years earlier. When Bill Russell left the game, “Mr. Defense” had certainly left his mark.

Bill Russell Timeline Biography

  • 6 years old: goes to school in a one-room shack
  • 12 years – Mother passes away
  • Age 21 – Lead San Francisco to win the NCAA Championship
  • 22 years old – Selected by the Boston Celtics
  • 1956 – Helps USA win the gold medal
  • 1957 – The Celtics lead their first NCAA Championship
  • 1966 – Becomes the first African-American coach in professional sports.
  • 1969 – Retires with 12 NBA championships

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