This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/31/2005.
An All-America and National Player of the Year at San Francisco, Bill Russell led the Dons to the 1955 and 1956 NCAA titles. He then led the USA to an 8-0 record and the Gold Medal at the 1956 Olympics. The most dominant defensive center in NBA history, Russell was a master at anticipating, blocking shots and grabbing rebounds to trigger the Boston Celtics' fast break. Russell won eleven NBA Championships with Boston, 1957 and 1959-66 as a player, and 1968 and 1969 as Player/Coach of the Celtics. He won NBA MVP honors five times, played in the All-Star Game 12 times (Game MVP in 1963), and was named to the NBA's 50 greatest players team in 1996. When Russell succeeded Red Auerbach in 1966, he became the first black coach in the NBA. When he retired from playing, Russell had set numerous NBA playoff records, pulled down 21,620 rebounds (second only to Wilt Chamberlain) and had scored 14,522 points. Silver Relief medallion. In excellent condition; several slight scratches on background.