Bill Russell jumps OVER a guy from near the FT Line - INSANE speed and hang time!

Bill Russell's measurements:
6-9 5/8ths w/o shoes (Sports Illustrated 1956)
7-4 wingspan
215-240lb playing weight range

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  Sports

[Brock Frome]

sort of wish the 'no dunking' rule wasn't the case, and that he just laid it in like that out of choice. How bad@ss would that be?

[dantheman9758]

That IS the case, the people who keep saying Bill wasn't allowed to dunk in the NCAA are incorrect. Bill was allowed, I have plenty of footage of Bill Russell dunking during his NCAA years. The only possible exception would be if the particular arena he was playing in didn't allow it for w/e reason but I don't think that's likely, I think he just layed it in by choice on this play.

[BlackDynamite1983]

People forget that Bill was an accomplished track star. In 1956 he was ranked 7th in the world in the high jump. He jumped 6-9¼ to tie for the West Coast Relays title and also won six other meets. Against national level competition he placed second at the California Relays and third at the Compton Invite. He won six meets and had three jumps over 6-8 during the 1956 season.

[dantheman9758]

Whatever you read your misinterpreting it, I have footage of Wilt dunking at every level of competition - multiple times throughout games. Same with Bill Russell. Dunking was banned in the NCAA during the Lew Alcindor era, but that had no effect on Bill or Wilt.

[Tony Bowyer]

lol a layup from the dotted line, big deal. He didn't jump over anybody, he jumped beside somebody and did a layup from well inside the foul line lol.

[danimalplanimal]

haha WHAT?!?!!!

[eyeofthetiger444]

yeah bill played in college in the 50's the dunk wasn't banned until 67. i agree he just layed it in by choice.

[drjimiboy69]

Again, I hate the Celts (long suffering Knick/Net fan). But BR in today's game, factoring in weight training, nutrition, improved travel/lodging conditions, shoes, better floors, great pay would run the floor like Walter Davis, play the offensive end like David Robinson (another long lefty), and defend and board like, well, like Bill Russell (numerous blocks, steals, altered shots, caroms). B-ball IQ off the scales. More rings than fingers. BR shredded at 240 lbs kills '2013 NBA. BR: NBA LGK 

[drjimiboy69]

Did I just see a 6-91/2 guy just fly up the court in 5 dribbles and leap over dude like he does it all the time, effortlessly, with total precision and athletic grace? I'm sure he couldn't play in today's game, right? I love all eras. Bill Russell (11 titles in 13 years, 15 of 17 if you count NCAA). Quickes bigmen to play in the NBA, ever. Dude was wearing Chuck Taylor canvas. WTF? Note: I hate the Celts but have total respect. BR actually competed with Wilt and had success. 'Nuff said.

[futureTFBdunker]

No he wasn't he had a better team but just because a player wins many championships doesn't mean they're better than other players just for that reason alone... russell was good but i don't see any proof to claim he's better than wilt in any statistical category but then again its hard to really tell what his skill set was like.

[grossfanyeahmate]

what the hell is his vertical

[PoeticJustice05 .]

well......dunno about that, either.