“I decided in college to win,” Russell later said. For example, he was described by the press as “a happy-go-lucky Oakland Negro” and “something of a clown.” The pain of that, Goudsouzian writes, drove him to go further, play harder. The racism had a profound effect on Russell’s life. Woolpert got hate mail, and the players endured racist harassment from the crowds. Eventually, USF had three Black players starting for the team, which no other major college program had done before, elevating both the team’s winning record and the blood pressures of racist fans. The pair bonded over basketball and their “anomalous status,” Goudsouzian writes. Jones, who would, like Russell, go on to play for the Boston Celtics, was also one of his teammates. Russell, along with teammate Hal Perry, “represented the entire black population of the freshman class.” Sophomore K.

In the 1950s, “only about 10 percent of basketball programs at predominantly white schools recruited black players.” But USF’s coach, Phil Woolpert wanted to change that dynamic, and “embraced racial liberalism well before his contemporaries,” recruiting players throughout the region. As Goudsouzian explains, “He became the first black superstar … Moreover, in the midst of the civil rights movement, Russell presided over basketball’s model of successful racial integration.” His college playing days at the University of San Francisco, while athletically amazing, didn’t hint at the outspoken advocate he’d later become, but his new college environment did play a huge role in his development. In his career, Russell not only broke records, but barriers. “In the midst of the civil rights movement, Russell presided over basketball’s model of successful racial integration.”

Bill russell