Bill Russell
12 February 1934 – 31 July 2022
Bill Russell was an American basketball player and coach who won eleven NBA championships with the Boston Celtics between 1957 and 1969. A defensive centre and five-time league most valuable player, he became the first Black head coach in the NBA when he took over the Celtics as player-coach in 1966. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011 for his playing career and his civil rights advocacy.
Lived at the same time
Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Bill Russell.
- Adonis (1930–present) Overlapped 88 years →
- Alice Munro (1931–2024) Overlapped 88 years →
- Asha Bhosle (1933–2026) Overlapped 88 years →
- Athol Fugard (1932–2025) Overlapped 88 years →
- Buzz Aldrin (1930–present) Overlapped 88 years →
- C. N. R. Rao (1934–present) Overlapped 88 years →
Life events
Bill Russell was born in the segregated South and spent his early childhood there.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgThe Russells left Louisiana for the West Coast, where he attended high school.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgHe led the Dons to national championships in 1955 and 1956.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgHe captained the United States basketball team to the title at the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgHe began his NBA career with Boston after being acquired in a draft-day trade.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgThe Celtics beat the St. Louis Hawks in a seven-game final for the franchise's first title.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgHe succeeded Red Auerbach and became the first Black head coach in the NBA.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgHe won his final title as player-coach and then retired from playing.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgPresident Barack Obama presented the medal, citing his sporting career and civil rights work.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgBill Russell died at the age of 88.
Source: en.wikipedia.org