Bill Russell death and Who is Bill Russell Today we lost a giant," Obama tweeted shortly after Russell's family announced that he died on Sunday at the age of 88. "With Bill Russell's height, his legacy rises much higher-both as a player and as a person.
Russell is one of the major figures in basketball history that propelled the Boston Celtics to 11 NBA championships in 13 years (two of which were players and coaches) with unparalleled success in professional sports.
"Probably more than anyone else, Bill knew what it took to win and what it took to lead. On the court, he was the greatest champion in the history of basketball.
Obama said in his statement, referring to Russell's presence at the 1963 rally in Washington and his support for Ali when the boxing champion was stripped of his title and prosecuted for refusing to serve in the US Army.
Who is Bill Russell
William Felton Russell was an American professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969.
He is most remembered for his performance in the 1960 NBA Finals in which he led his team to victory against the Philadelphia 76ers. Russell was also a member of the United States national team that competed at the 1964 Summer Olympics and the 1968 Summer Olympics.
A five-time NBA Most Valuable Player and 12-time NBA All-Star, he was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.
Russell and Henry Richard of the National Hockey League are associated with the record of the largest number of championships won by an athlete in a sports league in North America.
Russell is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He led the San Francisco Dons to two consecutive NCAA Championships in 1955 and 1956 and captained the gold-medal-winning U.S. national basketball team at the 1956 Summer Olympics.
1- Bill Russell age
Russell was born on February 12, 1934, to Charles Russell and Katie Russell in West Monroe, Louisiana. Like almost all southern towns and cities of that time.
2- Bill Russell death
His family confirmed on Sunday that Celtics icon, Hall of Famer, and 11-time NBA champion Bill Russell died peacefully at the age of 88.
3- Bill Russell wife and children
Russell was married to his college sweetheart rose Swisher from 1956 to 1973. They had three children: the daughter of Karen Russell, a television critic, and lawyer, and the Sons of William Jr. and Jacob.
The couple grew emotionally distant and divorced. In 1977, he married Dorothy Anstett, Miss USA 1968; they divorced in 1980.
In 1996, Russell married his third wife Marilyn Nolte; their marriage lasted until her death in January 2009. Russell was married to Janine Russell at the time of his death.
He was a resident of Mercer Island, Washington, for more than four decades. His older brother was the famous playwright Charlie L. Russell.
4- Bill Russell rings
Bill Russell won 11 episodes in 13 NBA seasons as a player of the Boston Celtics.
5- Bill Russell net worth
Bill Russell was a legendary American basketball player who had a net worth of dollar 10 million at the time of his death. Bill Russell died on July 31, 2022, at the age of 88.