Quick Facts of Bill Russell
| Full Name: | Bill Russell |
| Age: | 88 years old (Deceased) |
| Birthday: | 12 February 1934 |
| Birthplace: | Monroe, Louisiana, USA |
| Nationality: | American |
| Gender: | Male |
| Horoscope: | Leo |
| Wife: | Rose Swisher (m. 1956–1973), Dorothy Anstett (m. 1977–1980), Marilyn Nault (m. 1996–2009), Jeannine Russell (m. 2019) |
| Net Worth: | $10 Million |
| Height: | 2.08m |
| Profession: | Basketball player |
| Sibling: | N/A |
Who is Bill Russell?
William Felton Russell, better known as Bill Russell, is a retired American basketball center who played for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. During his thirteen-year career, he was the focal point of the Celtics dynasty, which won eleven NBA championships. He is one of only seven players in history to have won an NCAA title, an NBA title, and an Olympic gold medal. In his honor, the NBA renamed the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player trophy the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award in 2009. Many consider him to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
What is the Age of Bill Russell?
Bill Russell was born in Monroe, Louisiana on February 12, 1934. His nationality is American, and he is of mixed ethnicity. He was Charles and Katie Russell’s son. He grew up in a racially segregated neighborhood, where his family was frequently subjected to overt racism.
He grew up in poverty and had a difficult childhood. He was only 12 years old when he lost his mother. He attended McClymonds High School, where he began playing basketball. George Powles, his coach, encouraged the youngster to improve his skills and become a good player. The University of San Francisco offered him a scholarship (USF). He was overjoyed to receive this scholarship because it allowed him to escape a life of poverty and racism.
What is the Height of Bill Russell?
Bill Russell, at the age of 85, still appears young and attractive. His physique is athletic. He has a very charming smile on his lips that draws a lot of people to him. In terms of height and weight, he stands tall at 2.08 m and weighs a healthy 100 kg (220 lbs).
Furthermore, his body measurements have not yet been revealed, but they will be soon. He takes good care of his body. He has a healthy body overall.
Who is Bill Russell’s Wife?
Russell is a married man. In 1956, he married his college sweetheart, Rose Swisher. They had three children: daughter Karen Russell, a television pundit and lawyer, and sons William Jr. and Jacob. The couple divorced in 1973. In 1977, he married former Miss USA Dorothy Anstett, a white woman.
Their marriage lasted only a few years before they divorced in 1980. His third marriage, which lasted until her death in 2009, was to Marilyn Nault. Following that, he is assumed to be single.
What is the Net Worth of Bill Russell?
Bill Russell is a well-known and famous basketball player. During his career, he was one of the first big earners in NBA basketball. His rookie contract in 1956 was worth $24,000, which was only slightly less than the $25,000 earned by top earner Bob Cousy.
As one of the greatest Boston Celtics players in NBA history, he amassed a fortune. His net worth is estimated to be $10 million as of 2019. However, his exact salary has not yet been revealed, but it will be added soon. But there is no doubt in his follower’s minds that he is earning a good living from his current salary.
When did Bill Russell Begin his Career?
- Bill Russell was chosen by the Boston Celtics in the 1956 NBA Draft for his defensive toughness and rebounding ability. He was named captain of the United States national basketball team, which competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics, and he also helped the team win a gold medal.
- In December 1956, he made his debut for the Celtics in the 1956-1957 season. He appeared in 48 games, averaging 14.7 points and 19.6 rebounds per game. The Celtics were already a high-scoring team, but Russell’s addition accentuated their strengths.
- In his first NBA playoff game against the Syracuse Nationals in 1957, he finished with 16 points, 31 rebounds, and 7 blocks. The Celtics won 108-89 and swept the Nationals in three games. At the start of the 1957-1958 season, the Celtics won 14 straight games.
- That season, he was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player. His outstanding play continued in the 1958-59 season, when he averaged 16.7 points and 23.0 rebounds per game. The Celtics set a league record by winning 52 games.
- In November 1959, the Celtics faced the Philadelphia Warriors.
- The game was primarily viewed as a contest between Russell and Warriors center Wilt Chamberlain—both of whom were outstanding centers. The Celtics won the game by a score of 115-106. In the 1960-61 season, he averaged 16.9 points and 23.9 rebounds per game, leading his team to a 57-22 record.
- The following season, the Celtics became the first team to win 60 games in a season, and he was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for the second time.
- During the 1963-64 season, he averaged 15.0 points per game and 24.7 rebounds per game. He continued his outstanding play in the 1964-65 season, when he helped the Celtics win a league-record 62 games. Red Auerbach, the Celtics’ coach, retired before the 1966-67 season.
- He was offered the position of player-coach, which he accepted, making him the NBA’s first African American coach. He was getting older and tired, and by the 1967-1968 season, his numbers were starting to fall. He still averaged 12.5 points and 18.6 rebounds per game.
- He retired from his career at the age of 35. Following his retirement, he served as head coach of the Seattle SuperSonics (1973-1977) and the Sacramento Kings (1987-1988).
- On May 20, 2007, he received an honorary doctorate from Suffolk University, where he was the commencement speaker, and on June 7, 2007, he received an honorary degree from Harvard University.
- On February 14, 2009, NBA Commissioner David Stern announced that the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award would be renamed the “Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award” in honor of the 11-time NBA champion In 2011, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Image Credit: By Unknown author – Here, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=111833890