 William Felton " Bill " Russell ( born February 12 , 1934 ) is an American retired professional basketball player . Russell played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association ( NBA ) from 1956 to 1969 . A five @-@ time NBA Most Valuable Player and a twelve @-@ time All @-@ Star , he was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty , winning eleven NBA championships with the team . Russell is widely considered one of the greatest players in NBA history , and is one of only two players to win an NCAA , NBA , or an Olympic championship .
1956–1969 : Boston Celtics
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