Biography / Wiki
Bill Russell, an American who used to play basketball, is considered one of the best players in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played professionally for the Boston Celtics for 13 years. His skills in blocking shots and playing man-to-man defense helped his team win many important tournaments.
Growing up, he faced a lot of racism, but basketball helped him overcome these challenges. He is known worldwide for his ability to inspire and motivate his team to improve their techniques and perform at their best.
He was also very skilled at grabbing rebounds and once made more than 50 rebounds in a single game. He was the first successful African American player in NBA history to receive such recognition and awards.
Height / Weight / Age
Bill Russell was extremely tall, standing at 208 cm, which is equivalent to 6 feet 8 inches. He was a famous basketball player who weighed 100 kilograms or 220 pounds. He was 88 years old when he passed away.
He had wide black eyes and small, curly hair that was a mix of black and white, often referred to as salt and pepper. His body measurements included a chest size of 46 inches, a waist size of 34 inches, and hips measuring 38 inches. He wore size 16 (US) shoes, and his biceps were also 16 inches around.
Net Worth
Based on the information from various sources, it is estimated that Bill Russell’s net worth is around $10 million USD.
Education / Family
Bill Russell was born as William Felton Russell to his parents, Charles and Katie Russell. He grew up in a neighborhood where racism was very common, and his family often saw and experienced acts of racism. His childhood was tough because of poverty, and things got even harder when he lost his mother at the age of 12. Despite these challenges, he developed a passion for basketball while attending McClymonds High School.
Later, he received a scholarship from the University of San Francisco (USF). This scholarship changed his life by helping him escape poverty and giving him a chance to overcome racism. At USF, he became a key player who greatly improved the team’s performance, turning them into a strong and competitive college basketball team.
Name |
Bill Russell |
| Real name | William Felton Russell |
| Birth Place | Monroe, Louisiana, USA |
| Date Of Birth | February 12, 1934 |
| Age | 88 years (At the time of death) |
| Height | In centimeters – 208 cmIn feet inches – 6’8” |
| Weight | In kilograms – 100 kgIn pounds – 220 lbs |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Salt & Pepper |
| Profession | Basketball player |
| Zodiac sign | Aquarius |
| School | McClymonds High School |
| College | University of San Francisco |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Nationality | American |
| Home Town | Louisiana, USA |
| Debut | Not known |
| Fathers Name | Charles Russell |
| Mothers Name | Katie Russell |
| Brothers | Not known |
| Sister | Not known |
Career / Fashion And Style
In 1956, Bill Russell was chosen by the Boston Celtics in the NBA Draft for his exceptional defensive skills and ability to grab rebounds. His leadership qualities were quickly recognized, and he was appointed team captain following the Celtics’ success in winning a Gold medal at the 1956 Summer Olympics. During the 1956-57 season, he played in 48 games, achieving an average of 14.7 points and an impressive 19.6 rebounds per game.
The following season, the Celtics embarked on a remarkable winning streak of 14 games, with Russell earning the prestigious title of NBA Most Valuable Player. One of the standout moments came in a memorable game against the Philadelphia Warriors, where Russell and his counterpart, Wilt Chamberlain, both displayed their outstanding skills as centers.
By the 1960-61 season, Russell’s Celtics set a high standard with a record of 57 wins and 22 losses, marking them as the first NBA team to reach 60 wins in a season. Russell’s stellar performance during the 1964-65 season was instrumental in the Celtics setting a league record with 62 wins.
In 1966, Russell made history again by becoming the first African American head coach in the NBA when he accepted the coaching position with the Celtics. Retiring from playing at the age of 35, he went on to coach the Seattle SuperSonics and Sacramento Kings. In recognition of his contributions to sports and society, Suffolk University bestowed upon him an honorary doctorate in 2007.
Girlfriends, Affairs, Wife, and More
Bill Russell has been married three times so far. His first marriage was to Rose Swisher, with whom he had three children. They separated in 1973. Later, in 1977, he married Dorothy Anstett, who was Miss USA at the time.
The marriage between them didn’t last for a long time, and they decided to separate in 1980. After that, he married Marilyn Nault, and this marriage lasted the longest until Marilyn passed away in 2009.
| Girlfriends | Rose SwisherDorothy Anstett |
| Marital Status | Widowed |
| Wife | Marilyn NaultDorothy Anstett
Rose Swisher
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| Children | Daughter – Karen RussellSons – William Jr, Jacob
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Some Interesting Facts About Bill Russell
- Bill Russell was retired with his jersey number 6.
- He refuses to give autographs.
- He is one of the members of Kappa Alpa Psi.
- He has coached NBA’s Sacramento Kings and Seattle Supersonics.
- He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1975 and as a coach in 2021.
- In 1956, he became USA Player of the year.
- His coach George Powles, encouraged him to develop his skills and become a good player whereas his USF coach Phil Woolpert helped him develop his unique technique of defense.
Social Media Profile(s)
- Instagram – @realbillrussell
- Twitter – @RealBillRussell
- Facebook – @realbillrussell