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Born in Monroe, Louisiana and raised in Oakland, California, Russell played college basketball at the University of San Francisco, which he led to NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956, including an impressive string of 55 consecutive victories.
Russell played for the Celtics from 1956 to 1969For other uses, see Number 1969. For the movie, see 1969 (movie). Events January January 1 Australian media baron Rupert Murdoch purchases the largest selling British Sunday newspaper The News Of The World January 5 The Derry Riots leave over 100 people i, winning the NBANBA redirects here, as it is the most common usage of the abbreviation; for more uses, see NBA (disambiguation). The National Basketball Association of the United States and Canada, commonly known as the NBA is the premier professional basketball league i championship every year except 1958Events January January 1 Treaty of Rome founding the EU is implemented January 4 Sputnik 1 falls to Earth from its orbit (launched on October 4 1957) January 8 14 year old Bobby Fischer wins the United States Chess Championship January 18 Armed Lumbee Nat and 1967Events January January 4 British motorboat racer Donald Campbell dies while attempting a water speed record in Coniston Lake. January 4 Algerian revolutionary Mohammed Khider is shot in Madrid. January 6 Vietnam War: USMC and ARVN troops launch " Operatio. In 1966Events January January 1 In a coup, Colonel Jean-Bedel Bokassa ousts president David Dacko and takes over the Central African Republic. January 2 Strike of public transportation workers in New York City ends January 13 January 3 First Acid Test at the Fil he became the first black coach in the NBA. He served as player/coach from 1966Events January January 1 In a coup, Colonel Jean-Bedel Bokassa ousts president David Dacko and takes over the Central African Republic. January 2 Strike of public transportation workers in New York City ends January 13 January 3 First Acid Test at the Fil to 1969For other uses, see Number 1969. For the movie, see 1969 (movie). Events January January 1 Australian media baron Rupert Murdoch purchases the largest selling British Sunday newspaper The News Of The World January 5 The Derry Riots leave over 100 people i, and later coached the Seattle SuperSonics ( 1973 to 1977) and Sacramento Kings ( 1987 to 1988).
Russell has received virtually every NBA honor that exists, and in 1968, he received Sports Illustrated magazine's " Sportsman of the Year" award. He was exceptionally active in the American Civil Rights Movement. At one point, he refused to play a game when he and his black teammates were refused service at a local restaurant.
He was life-long friends with another legend, the late Wilt Chamberlain, who many consider to be the greatest ever offensive player; their on- court battles were perhaps the greatest individual rivalry in the history of the league.