Bill Russell
Captain of the 1956 U.S. Olympic gold medal basketball team and a Triple Crown winner.
via Wikipedia: Bill Russell · see source
William Felton Russell (February 12, 1934 – July 31, 2022) was an American professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics from 1956 to 1969. He captained the gold medal-winning U.S. national basketball team at the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Quick Facts
- Born
- 12 February 1934
- Birthplace
- Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.
- Died
- 31 July 2022
- Place of death
- Mercer Island, Washington, U.S.
- High school
- McClymonds (Oakland, California)
- College
- San Francisco (1953–1956)
- Draft round
- 1
- Draft pick
- 2
Lore & Background
Russell led the San Francisco Dons to consecutive NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956, was named NCAA tournament Most Outstanding Player, and captained the gold medal-winning U.S. national basketball team at the 1956 Summer Olympics. These victories along with his NBA championships made Russell one of only eight players in the history of men's basketball to achieve the Triple Crown.
Reader's Guide
Russell's Olympic gold medal was won in 1956, following NCAA titles in 1955 and 1956, and preceding his first NBA championship in 1957.
Did You Know?
- He was the first black NBA coach to win a championship, serving as player-coach of the Celtics from 1966 to 1969.
- In 2021, Russell was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame a second time for his coaching career.
More in Legendary Athletes
Elsewhere in The Olympics
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