Bill Russell Timeline

(1934–2022)

Bill Russell (1934–2022) was an American basketball player widely regarded as one of the greatest champions in sports history. Playing center for the Boston Celtics from 1956 to 1969, he won 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons. He was also a pioneering figure for civil rights and became the first Black head coach in a major U.S. professional sport when he took over the Celtics in 1966. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Early Life and College

Born in West Monroe, Louisiana

Feb 12, 1934

William Felton Russell was born in West Monroe, Louisiana, to Charlie and Katie Russell. Growing up in the segregated South, his family later moved to Oakland, California, where he would begin his basketball journey.

Image source: Bill Russell

Family relocates to Oakland, California

1943

Russell's family moved to Oakland, California, during World War II, seeking better economic opportunities. There he attended McClymonds High School, where he was initially an unremarkable athlete before a dramatic growth spurt.

Wins California state basketball championships at McClymonds

1952

At McClymonds High School, Russell won back-to-back California Interscholastic Federation state championships in 1952 and 1953, despite having been cut from the team as a freshman before growing several inches.

Enrolls at the University of San Francisco

1953

Russell enrolled at the University of San Francisco on a basketball scholarship, where coach Phil Woolpert built the team around Russell's shot-blocking defense and rebounding prowess.

Leads USF Dons to first of two NCAA titles

Mar 19, 1955

Russell led the University of San Francisco Dons to their first NCAA championship in 1955, defeating La Salle 77–63 in the final. The victory began an NCAA-record 55-game winning streak for the program.

Captains USF to record unbeaten season

Dec 1, 1955 - Mar 17, 1956

During the 1955–56 season, the San Francisco Dons went undefeated at 29–0, one of the most dominant college campaigns in history, anchored by Russell's revolutionary defensive play.

Wins second consecutive NCAA championship with USF

Mar 17, 1956

Russell captained USF to a second straight NCAA title with a perfect season, capping an overall 60-game winning streak. He averaged over 20 points and 20 rebounds per game during his college career.

Wins gold medal at Melbourne Olympics

Nov 22, 1956 - Dec 8, 1956

Russell captained the United States basketball team at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, winning the gold medal. The U.S. dominated the tournament, winning its games by an average of more than 50 points.

Celtics Dynasty

Traded to the Boston Celtics

Apr 30, 1956

Celtics coach Red Auerbach engineered a landmark trade, sending Ed Macauley and Cliff Hagan to the Hawks for Russell. The deal became one of the most consequential trades in NBA history.

Drafted second overall by the St. Louis Hawks

Apr 30, 1956

The St. Louis Hawks selected Russell with the second overall pick in the 1956 NBA draft, largely because of the local popularity of his college teammate K.C. Jones's connection and Russell's collegiate fame.

NBA debut with the Boston Celtics

Dec 22, 1956

After missing part of the season due to Olympic commitments, Russell made his NBA debut in December 1956. He immediately transformed Boston into the league's premier defensive team.

Wins NBA championship in rookie season

Apr 13, 1957

In his rookie year, Russell helped the Celtics win the NBA championship, defeating the St. Louis Hawks in seven games in a double-overtime Game 7 thriller that established the franchise's dynasty.

Wins first of five consecutive MVP awards

1958

Russell earned his first NBA Most Valuable Player Award in 1957–58, becoming the first African American player to win the honor. He would win the award five times between 1958 and 1965.

Image source: NBA Most Valuable Player Award

Suffers ankle injury during 1958 NBA Finals loss

Apr 12, 1958

Russell suffered an ankle injury in Game 3 of the 1958 NBA Finals against St. Louis and played hobbled the rest of the series. The Hawks won in six games, denying Boston a repeat title.

Begins run of eight consecutive NBA championships

Apr 9, 1959 - May 5, 1966

From 1959 through 1966, Russell led the Celtics to eight consecutive NBA titles, the longest championship streak by any major North American professional sports team.

Image source: History of the Boston Celtics

Named MVP as Celtics sweep Lakers in 1959 Finals

Apr 9, 1959

The Celtics swept the Minneapolis Lakers 4–0 in the 1959 NBA Finals, beginning the championship streak. Russell's defense neutralized the Lakers' frontcourt throughout the series.

Rivalry with Wilt Chamberlain begins

Oct 24, 1959

Wilt Chamberlain's NBA debut against the Celtics launched one of sports' greatest rivalries. The two centers battled for a decade, with Russell's teams usually prevailing while Chamberlain posted gaudier statistics.

Image source: Wilt Chamberlain

Grabs record 49 rebounds in a single game

Feb 5, 1960

Russell pulled down 49 rebounds against the Syracuse Nationals, setting a then-NBA single-game record. He later surpassed it with 51 rebounds in November 1960.

Celtics win 1960 Finals rematch against Hawks

Apr 9, 1960

Boston defeated St. Louis in seven games in the 1960 NBA Finals, with Russell dominating the boards and anchoring the league's best defense en route to his third title.

Legacy and Honors

Publishes autobiography 'Go Up for Glory'

1966

Russell published his memoir 'Go Up for Glory,' co-written with William McSweeny, candidly addressing racism he experienced throughout his life and career in America.

Image source: Listen Up! (New Found Glory album)

Inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

Sep 8, 1975

Russell was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975, recognized as one of the greatest players ever, notable for revolutionizing defensive basketball.

Image source: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

NBA renames Finals MVP trophy after Russell

Feb 14, 2009

The NBA announced that the Finals Most Valuable Player Award would be renamed the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Award, permanently linking his legacy to the league's biggest stage.

Image source: NBA Finals Most Valuable Player

Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom

Feb 15, 2011

President Barack Obama awarded Russell the Presidential Medal of Freedom, honoring both his athletic greatness and his lifelong civil rights activism alongside figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Muhammad Ali.

Image source: Presidential Medal of Freedom

Statue unveiled at Boston City Hall Plaza

Nov 1, 2013

A statue honoring Bill Russell was unveiled in Boston's City Hall Plaza, depicting him with a basketball surrounded by inscriptions celebrating his championships and civil rights legacy.

Received prestigious coaching and courage awards

Sep 11, 2021

In 2021, Russell was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame a second time as a head coach, recognizing his pioneering role as the first Black head coach in major American pro sports.

Dies at age 88

Jul 31, 2022

Bill Russell passed away peacefully at his home on Mercer Island, Washington, at age 88. The NBA retired his No. 6 jersey league-wide in tribute — the first such honor for any player.

Image source: Bill Russell

Coaching and Later Career

Becomes first Black head coach in major U.S. pro sports

Apr 16, 1966

When Red Auerbach retired from coaching after the 1966 season, Russell was named player-coach of the Celtics, becoming the first African American head coach in major American professional sports.

Wins championships as player-coach in 1968 and 1969

May 2, 1968 - May 5, 1969

As player-coach, Russell led Boston to titles in 1968 and 1969, including a stunning 1969 upset of the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers in seven games in his final playing season.

Image source: 1969 NBA Finals

Retires as a player after 11th championship

Jul 31, 1969

Russell retired following the 1969 championship, finishing with 11 titles in 13 seasons, five MVP awards, and a reputation as the greatest winner and defender in basketball history.

Coaches Seattle SuperSonics

1973 - 1977

Russell served as head coach and general manager of the Seattle SuperSonics from 1973 to 1977, leading them to the playoffs twice though never reaching the Finals under his tenure.

Image source: Seattle SuperSonics

Briefly coaches Sacramento Kings

1987 - 1988

Russell returned to coaching with the Sacramento Kings midway through the 1987–88 season but struggled with a weak roster and departed before the end of the campaign.

Key Facts

Bill Russell was born on February 12, 1934, in Monroe, Louisiana, and later led the University of San Francisco to two consecutive NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956.
He won an Olympic gold medal with the U.S. basketball team at the 1956 Melbourne Games before joining the Boston Celtics.
Russell won 11 NBA championships with the Celtics between 1957 and 1969, including eight in a row from 1959 to 1966, the longest title streak in North American pro sports history.
In 1966, he became player-coach of the Celtics, making him the first Black head coach in a major U.S. professional sports league; he later won titles as a coach in 1968 and 1969.
He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011, and the NBA Finals MVP trophy was renamed the Bill Russell Trophy in his honor in 2009.

Source

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