Bill Russell Drafted (1956)

Lore & Background

Russell was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons. He was a five-time NBA MVP, 12-time All-Star, and the first black player to achieve superstar status in the NBA. He also served as player-coach from 1966 to 1969, becoming the first black NBA coach to win a championship.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the Boston Garden hung heavy with floor wax and a tension that felt physical. Red Auerbach sat at his desk, an unlit cigar clamped between his fingers, eyes locked on the telegraph machine chattering out the draft results from St. Louis. When the name 'Bill Russell' flashed as the second pick by the Hawks, a collective gasp rippled through the front office—a moment of panic for everyone but Red. Then came the call. The deal was struck before the ink could dry on the transaction sheet: Ed Macauley and Cliff Hagan for the unproven college phenom. Months later, when Russell finally laced up his white pinstriped jersey in a preseason contest, the crowd sensed a shift in the atmosphere. He didn't just play; he commanded the court with an invisible gravity. A shot went up, and before it could even kiss the rim, Russell was there—launching himself into the air to swat the ball away with a ferocity that silenced the opposition instantly. In that moment, the future dynasty wasn't just promised; it arrived.

Reader's Guide

Russell's defensive prowess, shot-blocking, and rebounding were key to the Celtics' dominance. He led the NBA in rebounds four times and remains second all-time in total rebounds and rebounds per game. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975 and again in 2021 for his coaching career.

Did You Know?

• Russell was one of a select group of players in men's basketball history to achieve the Triple Crown (NCAA championship, Olympic gold, NBA title).
• He was the first black NBA coach to win a championship, doing so in 1969.
• The NBA Finals MVP Award was named after Bill Russell in 2009, honoring his legacy.
• In 2022, the NBA retired the #6 jersey league-wide, with Russell being the primary honoree, though players who already wore #6 were grandfathered in.