Bill Russell

Bill Russell Hall of Fame · 1975 Top 75

Boston Celtics

11× NBA Champion 1968-69, 1967-68, 1965-66, 1964-65, 1963-64, 1962-63, 1961-62, 1960-61, 1959-60, 1958-59, 1956-57

Bill Russell, a seminal figure in basketball history, is renowned for revolutionizing defensive play and leading the Boston Celtics to 11 NBA championships during his illustrious 13-year career, a feat unparalleled in professional sports. Beyond his on-court dominance, Russell was a trailblazer for racial equality, using his platform to advocate for civil rights and social justice throughout his life.

Career Statistics

Career Averages

PPG
15.1
1.32× era
RPG
22.5
3.67× era #2 all-time
APG
4.3
1.96× era #150 all-time
SPG
0.0
BPG
0.0

Shooting Percentages

FG%
44.0%
3P%
0%
FT%
56.1%

Career Totals

Games Played
963
Total Points
14522
Total Rebounds
21620
Total Assists
4100
Total Steals
0
Total Blocks
0

Advanced Metrics

Offensive & Defensive Impact

Usage & Playmaking

Rebounding & Efficiency

TS%
47.1%
True Shooting Percentage
eFG%
44.0%
Effective Field Goal Percentage

Playoff Career Statistics

Games 165
PPG 16.2
RPG 24.9
APG 4.7
FG% 42.7%
3P% 0.0%
FT% 59.9%

Career Achievements & Awards

  • MVP ×5 1964-65, 1962-63, 1961-62, 1960-61, 1957-58
  • All-NBA 1st Team ×3 1964-65, 1962-63, 1958-59
  • All-NBA 2nd Team ×8 1967-68, 1966-67, 1965-66, 1963-64, 1961-62, 1960-61, 1959-60, 1957-58
  • All-Defensive 1st Team 1968-69
  • All-Star ×12 1968-69, 1967-68, 1966-67, 1965-66, 1964-65, 1963-64, 1962-63, 1961-62, 1960-61, 1959-60, 1958-59, 1957-58

Players Like Bill Russell

Most stylistically similar by career averages — points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and shooting splits.

1 Nate Thurmond 1963 – 1976 15.0p 15.0r 2.7a 2 Maurice Stokes 1955 – 1957 16.4p 17.3r 5.3a 3 Gus Johnson 1963 – 1972 17.1p 12.7r 2.7a 4 Wilt Chamberlain 1959 – 1972 30.1p 22.9r 4.4a 5 Dave DeBusschere 1962 – 1973 16.0p 11.0r 2.9a

Compare Bill Russell with…

Head-to-head career breakdowns vs other all-time greats.