William Felton Russell (February 12, 1934 – July 31, 2022) was an American professional basketballplayer who played as a center for the Boston Celticsof the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. A five-time NBA Most Valuable Playerand a 12-time NBA All-Star, he was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.[2] Russell and Henri Richard of the National Hockey Leagueare tied for the record of the most championships won by an athlete in a North American sports league.[3] Russell is widely considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all-time. He led the San Francisco Dons to two consecutive NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956,[4] and he captained the gold-medal winning U.S. national basketball team at the 1956 Summer Olympics.[5]
Sadly this absolute legends dynasty has come to end end today (July 31, 2023)At the age of 88. Though he’s gone his golden career will be remembered for ages. In a short 13 years he exceeded all predecessors with a long list of accomplishments.
As player:
- 11× NBA champion (1957, 1959–1966, 1968, 1969)
- 5× NBA Most Valuable Player (1958, 1961–1963, 1965)
- 12× NBA All-Star (1958–1969)
- NBA All-Star Game MVP (1963)
- 3× All-NBA First Team (1959, 1963, 1965)
- 8× All-NBA Second Team (1958, 1960–1962, 1964, 1966–1968)
- NBA All-Defensive First Team (1969)
- 4× NBA rebounding champion (1958, 1959, 1964, 1965)
- NBA Lifetime Achievement Award (2019)
- NBA anniversary team (25th, 35th, 50th, 75th)
- No. 6 retired by Boston Celtics
- 2× NCAA champion (1955, 1956)
- NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (1955)
- UPI College Player of the Year (1956)
- 2× Helms Player of the Year (1955, 1956)
- 2× Consensus first-team All-American (1955, 1956)
- WCC Player of the Year (1956)
- No. 6 retired by San Francisco Dons
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (2011)
As coach:
- 2× NBA champion (1968, 1969)
Real World Problems 