Russell, Bill

Russell, Bill (William Felton Russell), 1934–, American basketball player, b. Monroe, La. Named All-American while on the Univ. of San Francisco team, he played on the gold-medal-winning U.S. team at the 1956 Olympics. That year he joined the Boston Celtics; in his 13 seasons with the team he won the Most Valuable Player award five times. Since leaving the Celtics in 1969 he has been a television sports announcer and the coach (1973–77) of the Seattle SuperSonics. His autobiography, Second Wind, appeared in 1979.

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Russell, Bill

 in full William Felton Russell

(born Feb. 12, 1934, Monroe, La., U.S.) U.S. basketball player. The 6-ft 10-in. (2.08-m) centre led the University of San Francisco to two NCAA championships (1955–56). Playing for the Boston Celtics (1956–69), Russell led his team to 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons—the last 2 as coach, having become in 1967 the first black coach of a major professional sports team. Russell's career mark for rebounds (21,620) is second only to that of his great rival Wilt Chamberlain, and he is regarded as one of the finest defensive centres of all time. He was voted most valuable player in the NBA five times. He later coached the Seattle SuperSonics (1973–77) and the Sacramento Kings (1987–88).

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Russell, (William Felton) Bill (1934–  ) basketball player; born in Monroe, La. He was a two-time All-American at the University of San Francisco (1955–56) before playing center for the Boston Celtics (1956–69), where he was an eleven-time All-NBA (National Basketball Association) first team selection and a five-time Most Valuable Player. One of basketball's greatest defensive centers, he led the Celtics to eleven NBA championships in 13 years. His 22.5 rebounds per game and 21,620 career rebounds are second best in NBA history. He was the first African-American head coach in the NBA, and in 1968 and 1969 he coached the Celtics to two successive titles. He also served as coach and general manager of the Seattle Supersonics (1973–77). A broadcaster after retiring from the game, he was elected to basketball's Hall of Fame in 1974.