Bill Russell: A Brief Biography

had to raise his two brothers because their father wasn’t able to care for them after he became an alcoholic because of the passing of his wife.

Russell Westbrook was born on November 12, 1988, in Long Beach, California. Westbrook grew up loving the game of basketball from his dad who was really big on the sport. Russell’s dad was a playground star and spent countless hours teaching his son the sport. Russell practiced drills everyday because his dad wanted him to become a basketball star. Aside from basketball Russell’s mom made him really focus on academics which set Russell up for becoming an honor student.

Karl attended Louisiana tech university. He was highly recruited by much bigger schools, but he wanted to stay close to his home and his family. It was very important

Most people know him as an 11 time NBA Champion, 5 time MVP, 12-time All-Star and he were the centerpieces of the Celtics dynasty during his 13-year career. Bill Russell ended up as the most successful player in the history of the NBA and formed the centerpiece of the greatest dynasty in the history of the league. For his accomplishments in the Civil Rights Movement on and off the court, Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011. Bill was outstanding at everything he ever put his mind to. For all that he accomplished on and off the field, Bill Russell is definitely one of the all-time great players of Basketball.

He attended the University of California (first to earn varsity letters in 4 sports) however due to financial needs he did not earn his degree.

Jackie Robinson comes from a humble beginning. Jackie was born January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia. When he was six months old, his father left and his mother moved the family to California. With the help of a niece, his mother bought a house in a white neighborhood in Pasadena. As if raising a family as a single parent isn't enough she had to stand up every day to racism and horrible treatment since she lived in a white community. Jackie was very proud of his mother, she is where Jackie learned to stand up for himself and not be pushed around. As Robinson grew up he discovered he was a natural athlete. Although he still struggled, putting up with racism, he learned that through sports he could make friends with white kids. In high school Jackie participated in nearly all the sports available: Football, basketball, track, and most importantly baseball.

Robinson was born on January 31,1919 in Cairo, Georgia. As a child Robinson was raised by his mother, Mallie Robinson. He grew up in a single parent household with his four other brothers and sisters. Robinson faced prejudice people everyday, being the only African American on the block. These prejudice people only strengthened and prepared him for later (Jackie Robinson). Robinson attended John Muir High School and Pasadena Junior College for his education. At Pasadena Junior College he was an excellent athlete who played football, basketball, baseball, and track (Jackie Robinson). He continued his education at the University of California in Los Angeles. Here he became the first student at the University to letter in four sports (Jackie Robinson). Robinson was forced to leave this school due to financial issues (Robinson, Jackie). After Robinson left this school he moved to Hawaii, where he played

After graduating high school, instead of trying out for a college scholarship, immediately got a job (Shapiro 38). Russell epitomized the way the sport of basketball was supposed to be played by being unselfish whenever it was needed. He cared little of statistics, just doing what was best for his team. In the process, he made his teammates seem better than they actually were. His altruism and modesty improved white Americans outlook on blacks. They were no longer a lesser species, but an equal to the majority. Of the 1968-69 season, Robert F. Gorman stated, “the successful season had confirmed Russell’s selfless, team-first philosophy” (Gorman 3247). This selflessness had a huge impact on creating equality for

Jackie Robinson’s childhood had a direct impact on his professional career and also prepared him to face the challenges of racism. Shortly after Robinson was born in January 1919, his father, Jerry Robinson, left the family and was an absent figure in Jackie’s life. This left Jackie with

Born Russell Carrington Wilson on November 29,1988 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up in Richmond, Virginia. His parents were Harrison Benjamin Wilson III (a lawyer) and Tammy Wilson (a legal nurse consultant).

the lives of his family exceedingly, “...he scrupulously avoided contacting either his parents or Carine, the

Iowa he tried to get into Harver because he was so smart the were going to accept him but, they

His Freshmen year of City College, he averaged 10 yards when he received the ball. By Sophomore year, he was given recognition by 50 colleges. in the Spring of 1967, he enrolled at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles as a Junior and soon became college football's leading rusher. His Senior year, he ended with carrying the ball thirty-five times and gained

his father died. His father knew that he would succeed him so his father prepared him for a

His fans encouraged him to go far in the acting career. He went to the university of Miami,including these other educational schools. Freedom high school, President William high school. During his school years he was playing football, he played Defensive Tackle. People say he was good enough to go to the NFL, during his college and high school lifetime, they also say in middle school he was gaining all and or most of that talent. He started getting famous by going and basically leading his team the University of Miami to victory in the championship.