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The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Athletes 2023

Bill Russell

  • Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Athletes 2023
  • Embed from Getty Images
  • Sport(s): Basketball
  • Statistics: 11 NBA Championships (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968 & 1969)

    5 MVPs (1958, 1961, 1962, 1963 & 1965)

    3 All-NBA First Team Selections (1959, 1963 & 1965)

    1 All-Defensive First Team Selection (1969)

    12 All-Star Games (1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968 & 1969)

    4 Rebounding Titles (1958, 1959, 1964 & 1965)

    1 Olympic Gold Medal (1956)

    2-Time NCAA Champion (1955 & 1956)

    1-Time NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (1955)

    1-Time UPI College Player of the Year (1956)

    2-Time First Team All-American (1955 & 1956)

    1-Time WCC Player of the Year (1956)

    14,522 NBA Points

    21,620 NBA Rebounds

    4,100 NBA Assists

    Member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

    Member of the FIBA Hall of Fame

    Member of the College Basketball Hall of Fame

    Number retired by the Boston Celtics

    Number retired by the University of San Francisco

    Named to the NBA 25th Anniversary Team

    Named to the NBA 35th Anniversary Team

    Named to the NBA 50th Anniversary Team
  • Bill Russell is not always in the conversation when basketball fans talk about the greatest player ever, but there are many reasons why they should.



    In 1956 and two-time NCAA Champion at San Francisco and Olympic Gold Medal winner, Bill Russell was the best player by far in college. When Red Auerbach of the Boston Celtics secured him via trade after the St. Louis Hawks drafted him, he was the literal centerpiece of an NBA dynasty.



    Russell is the player who took the Celtics to eleven NBA titles, the most in NBA history. While Russell's stats were impressive, there was zero doubt that the only thing he cared about was wins and championships, and if that meant he would be selfless in the box score, then so be it.



    Justifiably, in 2008, the NBA renamed the Finals MVP the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award. There will never be anyone else who should have that accolade named for them.



    We are proud to nominate Bill Russell for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.
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