Bill Russell, Consultant

Bill Russell is entering his fourth season as a consultant for the Boston Celtics. He works with the team in several capacities, assisting the basketball operations, marketing and community relations departments.

Russell played for the Celtics from the 1956-57 season through the 1968-69 season. During his 13 years with the team, he averaged 15.1 points and 22.5 rebounds per game. He still holds the Celtics records for the most rebounds in a season (1,930 during the 1963-64 campaign), game (51), half (32), quarter (17) and season average (24.7). Russell also contributed to 11 of the Celtics' 16 World Championships (nine as a player, two as a player-coach) and had his number 6 retired by the team in 1972.

Russell was voted NBA Most Valuable Player five times (1958, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965), and was an All-NBA first team selection three times (1959, 1963, 1965). He was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975, was declared the Greatest Player in the History of the NBA by the Professionals Writers' Association of America in 1980, was named to the NBA's 25th and 35th Anniversary All-Time Teams, and was voted one of the 50 greatest players in NBA History (1996). He also appeared in 12 NBA All-Star games.

No one in any sport anywhere in the world has equaled the achievements of professional basketball's Bill Russell and his Boston Celtics.

As the leader of his team, Russell's record speaks of consistency, winning an unprecedented 18 championships in 21 years of playing basketball. Besides leading the Celtics to an extraordinary record of 11 world championships in 13 years and eight NBA championships in a row, his high school team won three championships and he led the University of San Francisco to a divisional championship and two national championships, winning 55 straight games. In 1956, Russell proudly captained the U.S. Olympic basketball team to a gold medal.

Russell and his teammates created the modern game of basketball. As a player and as a coach, Russell revolutionized the game of basketball by playing defense like his life depended on it. His breakthrough approach to defense was predicated on the principle of making defense an offensive part of the game. Offensively, he forever changed the game by transforming the entire tempo of the sport and introducing the concept of transition. No player in history could inflict his will on a game more effectively than Bill Russell.

Less known about Russell is that he was the first professional athlete to host Saturday Night Live. He is also credited with playing another major role in bringing the NBA into the modern era when he agreed to become the commentator analyst in 1980 as the NBA signed its first major network contract with CBS and went to prime time.

Russell is also the author of three award-winning best-sellers, Go Up For Glory and Second Wind. His newest book, Russell Rules...11 Lessons in Leadership from the Greatest Winner of the Twentieth Century was released this year and made the NY Times business best-seller list.

Russell has also been an aggressive advocate for civil rights, equality and diversity. A sought after mentor, Russell is active on the Board of Directors of the National Mentoring Partnership.

Bill Russell truly defines the word champion because of his success as a talent and as a human being. Few individuals are admired for their integrity, compassion, intellect and wisdom on and off their court, as much as Bill Russell.