biography
| name: |
Russell, Bill
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| |
popular nameof William Felton Russell
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| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1934– )
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| biography:
| Basketball player, born in Monroe, Louisiana, USA. He was a two-time All-American at the University of San Francisco (1955–6) before playing centre for the Boston Celtics (1956–69), where he was an eleven-time All-NBA (National Basketball Association) first team selection and a five-time Most Valuable Player. One of basketball's greatest defensive centres, he led the Celtics to eleven NBA championships in 13 years. His 22·5 rebounds per game and 21 620 career rebounds are second best in NBA history. He was the first African-American head coach in the NBA and coached the Celtics to two successive titles (1968, 1969). He also served as coach and general manager of the Seattle Supersonics (1973–7). A broadcaster after retiring from the game, he was elected to basketball's Hall of Fame in 1974. |
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