If theres one thing Netflixs Bill Russell: Legend makes perfectly evident, its that the titular NBA champion, coach, and civil rights activist led a life that can only be described as deeply impactful. Karen is Bill's most well known child, and the only daughter from his union with Rose. Here's what we know about his kids and family. Getty Images/Getty Images. [219] The FBI maintained a file on Russell and described him in their file as "an arrogant Negro who won't sign autographs for white children". However, the NBA player did have children from his previous marriage. [17] Shortly after his death in 2022, the NBA retired Russell's #6 jersey league-wide, making him the only player in NBA history to receive the honor. Russell was so quick that he could run over for a quick double team and make it back in time if the opponents tried to find the open man. After the next provocation, Russell pounded Felix to the point of unconsciousness, paid a modest $25 fine, and rarely was the target of cheap fouls thereafter. [20] When World War II broke out, the elder Russell became a truck driver. So Hirsch went to Seattle to have lunch with Russell and his daughter, attorney Karen Russell. He tied the knot with three different gals. [32] Russell became one of several big men who have brought about NCAA rule changes. [20], At USF, Russell became the new starting center for coach Phil Woolpert of the San Francisco Dons. [30] Woolpert's choice of how to deploy his players was unaffected by their skin color. That did not happen My junior year in college, I had what I thought was the one of the best college seasons ever. However, it is reported that he lives with his wife Sara Marckx Russell in Washington State. 6 months ago. [157], On August 11, 2022, it was announced that Russell's No. Over the course of his life, Rusell played 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics, during which time he took home 11 championships titles with the team. [65] The teams split the first two games, but Russell went down with a foot injury in Game 3 and only returned for Game 6. [60] He alienated Celtics fans by saying: "You owe the public the same it owes you, nothing! [1] The Celtics won the 1966 NBA Finals and their eighth consecutive title. [155] In 1970, The Sporting News named Russell the "Athlete of the Decade". Bill Russell Social Media He shares all three of his children with his first wife and college sweetheart, Rose Swisher, whom he divorced in 1973. [19] When he later became a standout college player at USF, Russell recalled how he and his few fellow black teammates were jeered by white students. [209], Chamberlain's knee was injured so badly that he could not play the entire offseason and he ruptured it the next season. And so the Celticsall we looked for was: 'Can he play?' [5], On February 5, 1960, Russell had 23 points, 51 rebounds, and 5 assists in a 124100 win over the Syracuse Nationals. Tonight, Bull Russell will receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2019 ESPYs. [109] Journalists were often treated to the "Russell Glower", described as an "icily contemptuous stare accompanied by a long silence". Russell, who had a difficult relationship with the media, did not attend either ceremony. . Therefore, on January 25, 2016, the 58-year-old passed away peacefully in his sleep in the comfort of the Mountain West place hed learned to call home alongside some of his closest loved ones. His third . Rose and Bill started dating in their college days. . [49], Russell was considered the consummate defensive center, noted for his defensive intensity, basketball IQ, and will to win. [34] In one incident, hotels in Oklahoma City refused to admit Russell and his black teammates while they were in town for the 1954 All-College Tournament. Russell, who was sensitive to any racial prejudice, was enraged by the fact that owner Abe Saperstein would only discuss the matter with Woolpert. "[98], Boston's championship streak ended at eight in his first full season as head coach when Chamberlain's Philadelphia 76ers won a record-breaking 68 regular-season games and were the favorites heading into the 1967 NBA playoffs, where they beat the Celtics 41 in the Eastern Division Finals. [172] The art is by Ann Hirsch of Somerville, Massachusetts, in collaboration with Pressley Associates Landscape Architects of Boston. Karen graduated from Harward Law School and has dissected high-profile trials and national political issues. [109], For most of his career, Russell and his perennial opponent Wilt Chamberlain were close friends. When the NBA All-Stars toured the U.S. in the 1958 offseason, white hotel owners in segregated North Carolina denied rooms to Russell and his black teammates, causing him to later write in his 1966 memoir Go Up for Glory: "It stood out, a wall which understanding cannot penetrate. Arthur was a man of great courage. Celtics legend and 11-time NBA Champion Bill Russell died 'peacefully' Sunday at the age of 88. In the 1961 NBA playoffs, the Celtics defeated the Syracuse Nationals 41 in the Eastern Division Finals. [61] Russell scored 21 points and grabbed an NBA Finals-record 40 rebounds, plus an assist, in a Game 2 loss,[73] and he added 22 points and 35 rebounds, along with 4 assists,[74] in the deciding Game 7, a 122103 victory for Boston. There were times I wondered, but not Rose, Bill penned for Boston Traveler in 1956. Like almost all Southern towns and cities of that time, Monroe was very segregated and the Russells often struggled with racism in their daily lives. Still, there was constantly a flow of people from Louisiana that my father would let stay with us. '"[203], In a retrospective interview, Russell described the state of mind he felt he needed to enter in order to be able to play basketball: "I had to almost be in a rage. The statement draws attention to his . . [56] Russell never had to work part-time. What was Bill Russell's life like while he was racking up 11 rings? When I sent you to Harvard, I expected you to be able to do the same. In 2014, after the unveiling of his statue at City Hall in Boston, Russell spoke a bit about his parents and what his life was like growing up. Celtics owner Walter A. The fans could do or think whatever they wanted. Following Chamberlain's death in October 1999, Russell returned to prominence at the turn of the millennium. 6 for most regular season MVPNBA Finals MVP awards, despite the latter being assigned only since 1969. The former practicing attorney is hence the epitome of an empowered woman through and through. After practice, and even during practice breaks, shed encourage me. In the 1959 NBA Finals, the Celtics recaptured the NBA title, sweeping the Minneapolis Lakers 40. However, since the Russells always preferred to keep their personal experiences well away from the limelight, we only know Bill was often affectionately, unironically referred to as Buddha.. [183] Russell was married to Jeannine Russell at the time of his death. Nault became a stepmother to three of Bill's children: Karen Russell, William Russel Jr., and Jacob Russell. The already hostile atmosphere between Russell and Boston hit its apex when vandals broke into his house in Reading, Massachusetts, covered the walls with racist graffiti, damaged his trophies, and defecated in the beds. [56] In previous years, the Celtics had been a high-scoring team but lacked the defensive presence needed to close out tight games. 6 jersey would be retired throughout the National Basketball Association, the first time a jersey had been retired league-wide in NBA history, and joining Jackie Robinson and Wayne Gretzky in the honor among the four major American sports leagues. His marriage with Rose produced 3 children of which one, Karen Russell is a renowned television pundit and lawyer. William Jr was born on November 2, 1957,. "[49] The next day, The Boston Globe read: "Russell's Reflexes Befuddles Visitors. They had three children: daughter Karen Russell, a television pundit and lawyer, and sons William Jr. and Jacob. Their 4834 record was the team's worst since the 195556 NBA season and they entered the 1969 NBA playoffs as the fourth-seeded team in the East. When the reporter asked how, Russell responded: "Because the most important factor is respect. When Chamberlain died in 1999, Chamberlain's nephew said that Russell was the second person he was told to call. The owner of the Hawks called Auerbach later and demanded more in the trade. [5] Russell is the all-time playoff leader in total (4,104) and average (24.9) rebounds per game, he grabbed 40 rebounds in three separate playoff games (twice in the NBA Finals), and he never failed to average at least 20 rebounds per game in any of his thirteen playoff campaigns. The Celtics won Game 4 in an upset, but the Hawks prevailed in Games 5 and 6, with Pettit scoring 50 points in the deciding Game 6. As the teams split the first six games, the tension was so high that in Game 3 Celtics coach Auerbach punched his colleague Ben Kerner and received a $300 fine. According to Sportskeeda, he resides in Washington State with his wife, Sara Marckx Russell. [212] He was often called Felton X, presumably in the tradition of the Nation of Islam's practice of replacing a European slave name with an X and purchased land in Liberia. [94] In Game 5, Russell contributed with 12 points, 28 rebounds, and 7 assists, plus 10 blocks and 6 steals; blocks and steals became officially recorded statistics in the 197374 NBA season. It was reportedly back on January 8, 2018, that Jeannine and Bill got married in a private ceremony surrounded by loved ones, just for the union to last until his demise on July 23, 2022. He was voted the NBA Most Valuable Player but only named to the All-NBA Second Team, something that would occur repeatedly throughout his career, as players voted for the MVP award, something that would last until the 197980 NBA season, while the media has always voted for the All-NBA teams. [205] At the time his additional role of coach was announced, Russell publicly stated he believed Red Auerbach's impact as a coach confined every or almost every relationship with each Celtic player to a strictly professional one. Bill Russell Wife, Girlfriend. [25] Sports journalist John Taylor described it as a watershed event in Russell's life because he realized that basketball was his chance to escape poverty and racism, and he swore to make the best of it. Russell . He actually enrolled at the School of Art Institute in Chicago for a Bachelors in Design-Visual Communications upon graduating from Californias Galileo Academy of Science & Technology, just to then kickstart his career. Television Pundit and Lawyer Karen Russell is the only daughter of Bill Russell. In 1975, he was inducted into the basketball hall of fame. After he graduated, the NCAA rules committee instituted a second new rule to counter the play of big men like Russell; basket interference was now prohibited. The youngest son of the NBA legend hasn't led a very public life, which is why there isn't much information about him. Twenty million England fans go wild across the country as Lionesses WIN nerve-shredding Euro final against Germany. His 1956 rookie contract was worth $24,000 (equivalent to $239,207 in 2021), only fractionally smaller than the $25,000 of top earner and teammate Bob Cousy. [102] In the Eastern Division Finals of the 1968 NBA playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers had the better record than Boston and were the favorites. [68] Both men awed onlookers with "nakedly awesome athleticism",[68] and while Chamberlain outscored Russell 30 to 22, the Celtics won 115106, and the match was called a "new beginning of basketball". [121], Russell became a vegetarian, took up golf, and worked as a color commentator for CBS and TBS throughout the 1970s into the mid-1980s, but he was uncomfortable as a broadcaster. [124] In 1985, former Celtic teammate Don Chaney, who was head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, asked Russell to tutor Benoit Benjamin, the third overall draft pick from Creighton University, who left after his junior season; according to Chaney, Russell did not get paid for it. Moreover, the Next Gen: #BLM founder helps clients manage, execute, as well as maintain inclusive initiatives as a freelance consultant while also helping democratic women vote full ballots as an activist. At one point, Karen asked her father if it was difficult to send her to school in Boston, where she attended Harvard Law School. 4 in ESPN's list of the top 74 NBA players of all time, the second best center behind Abdul-Jabbar and ahead of Chamberlain. Nothing went on outside the borders of the court. Jacob Russell, William Russell Jr., and Karen Russell nare his children. [14] In 2011, Barack Obama awarded Russell the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his accomplishments on the court and in the civil rights movement. [143][156] Russell is universally seen as one of the best NBA players ever,[5] and he was declared "Greatest Player in the History of the NBA" by the Professional Basketball Writers Association of America in 1980. [39][40] During his college career, Russell was the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 1955, averaging 20.7 points per game and 20.3 rebounds per game. [56] Russell's defense was called into question by Eddie Gottlieb, coach of the Philadelphia Warriors, after the WarriorsCeltics game on January 1, 1957, in which he recorded 17 points and 25 rebounds, plus an assist. Your IP: [56], Russell was an elite help defender who allowed the Celtics to play the "Hey, Bill" defense: whenever a Celtic requested additional defensive help, he would shout "Hey, Bill!" [5] Russell's team again beat Chamberlain's Philadelphia 76ers 41 in the Eastern Division Finals, proceeding to win the NBA Finals in a tight showdown against the Los Angeles Lakers, with Russell scoring 25 points and grabbing 32 rebounds, plus giving out an assist,[97] in a 9593 win in Game 7. [98] Third choice Tom Heinsohn also said no because he did not think he could handle the often surly Russell,[98] whom he proposed as a player-coach. The Internal Revenue Service discovered that Russell owed $34,430 in tax money and put a lien on his house. The centerpiece of the Boston Celtics dynasty who earned 11 NBA titles during . [80] As the game was tied, Russell had the daunting task of defending against Baylor with little frontline help: Loscutoff, Heinsohn, and Satch Sanders, the three best Celtics forwards, had fouled out. [96], Celtics coach Red Auerbach retired before the 196667 NBA season. [67] On November 7, 1959, Russell's Celtics hosted Chamberlain's Warriors and pundits called the matchup between the best offensive and defensive centers "The Big Collision" and "Battle of the Titans". [98] On April 16, 1966, Russell agreed to become head coach of the Celtics, and a public announcement was made two days later. Bill Russell poses with his Championship rings in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1996. With his first wife, Rose, to whom he was married for 17 years, he had three children: a daughter, Karen, and two sons, Buddha and Jacob. His parents, Charles and Katie Russell, decided they would not raise their children in this environment. Karen has a B.A. Bill Russell. Read More: Bill Russells Wives: Where Are They Now? [64], The Celtics won 49 games and made the first berth in the 1958 NBA playoffs, where they met in the 1958 NBA Finals with their familiar rivals, the St. Louis Hawks. [210] After that, the two were often seen together at various events and interviewed as friends. Karen is very active on social media and often accompanied her father . He revealed that his mother died when he was 12. 6 to be retired across NBA following legend's death last month", "Chat Transcript: Celtics Legend Bill Russell", "Russell 'So good, he scares you' Mikan", "Bill Russell Named Boston Celtic Coach; Basketball Star To Draw $125,001 Salary a Record for a Pro Coach or Manager He'll Take over Next Season", "Who's Better At Hoops: Bill Russell Or Frank Robinson? She already does volunteer work as a tutor for underprivileged children in her hometown.. [100] During the series, Russell said: "Right now, he (Wilt) is playing like me [to win]. [49] Boston's chances of getting Russell seemed slim because they had finished second in the previous season and the worst teams had the highest draft picks, and the Celtics had slipped too low in the draft order to pick Russell. We won 28 out of 29 games. It would be to our advantage if we paid him off for five years to get away from us in the rest of this series. Russell has always worn a jersey with No. [5] Chamberlain said Russell's timing as a shot-blocker was unparalleled. As the son of one of Hollywood's most beloved . He replied: "Yes." He shared all three kids with his first wife Rose Swisher. Bill Russell was the father of four children from three different women. [193] When Wilt Chamberlain became the first NBA player to earn $100,000 in salary in 1965 (equivalent to $859,873 in 2021), Russell went to Auerbach and demanded a $100,001 salary, which he promptly received. [224], On September 26, 2017, Russell posted a photograph of himself to a previously unused Twitter account in which he was taking the knee in solidarity with the U.S. national anthem kneeling protests. Karen Russell, Jacob Russell, William Russell Jr. Rose Swisher got married to her husband, Bill Russell on 9 December 1956. her husband Basketball player Bill Russell was his college sweetheart, she got divorced from him in 1973. Russell was married three times. Bill Russell and Marilyn Nault Russel did not have children together. [49] Bill Simmons has estimated that Russell had between 8 and 15 blocks per game in the playoffs. They hence spent the ensuing nine years having fun as well as traveling with one another, that is, until she sadly passed away from losing her battle with cancer at the age of 59 on January 21, 2009. Russell also had seven regular-season games with 40 or more rebounds, the NBA Finals record for highest rebound per game average (29.5, 1959) and by a rookie (22.9, 1957). One of the greatest players in NBA history, Bill Russell, is currently in his 4th marriage. [65] Many observers thought that Boston could have won had Russell not been injured, but Auerbach commented: "You can always look for excuses We just got beat.