Bill Russell: Quick Facts

News •

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has chance to join exclusive group of NBA MVPs • Oct. 18, 2026, 6:00 PM ET (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Facts

Also Known As William Felton Russell
Born February 12, 1934 • Monroe • Louisiana
Died July 31, 2022 (aged 88)
Awards And Honors Olympic Games • Presidential Medal of Freedom (2011) • Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1975) • Most Valuable Player (1967)

Photos


Magic Johnson in a yellow Los Angeles Lakers uniform dribbles a basketball up the court during a game.
Magic Johnson
American basketball player
Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls, wearing jersey number 23, jumps to dunk a basketball during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks in a crowded arena.
Michael Jordan
American basketball player
Pat Summitt and members of the University of Tennessee's women's basketball team
Pat Summitt
American basketball coach
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Cynthia Cooper-Dyke
American basketball player
Shaquille O'Neal smiling, wearing a dark suit and tie, at the 2019 Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year event in New York City.
Shaquille O’Neal
American basketball player
David Robinson
David Robinson
American basketball player
Moses Malone
Moses Malone
American basketball player
Willis Reed
Willis Reed
American basketball player and coach
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant
American basketball player
Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls in a white jersey dribbles a basketball while guarded by an opposing player during a game.
Scottie Pippen
American basketball player
Sheryl Swoopes
Sheryl Swoopes
American basketball player
Utah Jazz basketball player Karl Malone holds a basketball and looks to pass during a game, wearing a purple Jazz jersey with yellow trim.
Karl Malone
American basketball player
Oscar Robertson, wearing a dark suit and light patterned tie, smiles at the camera in a 2018 portrait.
Oscar Robertson
American basketball player
Louisville head coach Rick Pitino in a dark suit gestures and points during a basketball game, with spectators and media seated behind him.
Rick Pitino
American basketball coach
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Don Nelson
American basketball player and coach
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Lenny Wilkens
American basketball player and coach
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Bill Sharman
American basketball player
Red Auerbach.
Red Auerbach
American coach
Doc Rivers
Doc Rivers
American basketball player and coach
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Dennis Johnson
American basketball player