#Fact1Consultant, Boston Celtics (1999-Present). [December 2003]2Despite Winning 11 Championships in 13 Seasons with the Celtics, Russell Greatly Disliked...
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Fact
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Consultant, Boston Celtics (1999-present). [December 2003]
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Despite winning 11 championships in 13 seasons with the Celtics, Russell greatly disliked playing in Boston and was often the target of racism.
Attended McClymonds High School in Oakland, California
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His second wife, Dorothy "Didi" Anstett, was the 1968 Miss USA.
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Children: William Jr., Karen Kenyatta, and Jacob.
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Holds NBA Finals single-game record for most free throws attempted in one half (15, April 11, 1961) vs. St. Louis; most rebounds (40, March 29, 1960 vs. St. Louis and April 18, 1962 vs. Los Angeles); most rebounds by a rookie (32, April 13, 1967 vs. St. Louis); and most rebounds in a quarter (19, April 18, 1962 vs. Los Angeles).
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Holds NBA Finals record for highest rebound per game average (29.5 rpg, 1959) and by a rookie (22.9 rpg, 1957).
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Holds career playoff record for most rebounds (4,104, 24.9 rpg) in 165 games.
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Celtics's all-time leading rebounder (21,620, 22.5 rpg) in 963 games; second best in history.
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Holds the NBA single-game record for most rebounds in a half (32) vs. Philadelphia on Nov. 16, 1957.
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Two-time All-Conference, State, District and American.
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NBA Sacramento Kings, player/head coach (1987-1988).
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NBA Seattle Supersonics, player/head coach (1973-1977).
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NBA Boston Celtics, player/head coach (1966-1969).
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All-NBA Second Team (1958, 1960-1962, 1964, 1966-1968).
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All-NBA First Team (1959, 1963, 1965).
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NBA Most Valuable Player (1958, 1961-1963, 1965).
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NCAA Most Outstanding Player (1955).
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As head coach, compiled a 341-290 record (.540) in eight seasons.
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USA Player of the Year (1956).
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Member, gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic Team (1956).
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Named "Sportsman of the Year" by Sports Illustrated (1968).
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Celtics retired his jersey number 6.
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NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team (1996).
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NBA 35th Anniversary All-Time Team (1980).
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NBA 25th Anniversary All-Time Team (1970).
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Declared Greatest Player in the History of the NBA by the Professional Basketball Writers Association of America (1980).
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MVP All-Star Game (1963) after 19 points and 24 rebounds.
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Twelve-time NBA All-Star (1958-1969).
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NBA All-Defensive First Team (1969).
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Selected by the St. Louis (now Atlanta) Hawks as a territorial draft choice in 1954. His draft rights were traded by the Hawks to the Boston Celtics for Cliff Hagan and Ed Macauley. Joined the Celtics in mid-season in 1956-1957 after a stint with the Harlem Globetrotters. That season, he led the Celtics to what would be the first of 11 NBA titles in 13 seasons.
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One of the first players to utilize the blocked shot as a weapon. He would direct his blocks to a player releasing on a fast break or off the backboard to keep the ball in play. Before, most players would just reject the blocked shot into the stands.
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Also coached the NBA's Seattle Supersonics and Sacramento Kings.
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After Red Auerbach retired as Celtics' coach in 1966, Russell became player-coach, thereby becoming the first ever African-American to direct a team in a professional sports league. Led the Celtics to NBA titles in 1967-1968 and 1968-1969.
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Enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame, 1975.
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Inducted into the Sport in Society Hall of Fame, 2000.
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Played professional basketball for the Boston Celtics.
Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.