John Russell (basketball)
Encyclopedia
John "Honey" Russell was an American basketball
player and coach born in Brooklyn
, New York. He turned professional after his sophomore year of high school
, playing for numerous early 20th century pro teams, including many in the American Basketball League
. His career included over 3,200 pro games (a number that would take a modern NBA player 30–40 years to equal).
In addition, he coached and managed for over 30 years, in all of the professional leagues in existence during his career. He was the first coach of the NBA's
Boston Celtics
(1946–1948). He also coached at Seton Hall University
In 1964, Russell was enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player and coach born in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York. He turned professional after his sophomore year of high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
, playing for numerous early 20th century pro teams, including many in the American Basketball League
American Basketball League (1925-1955)
The American Basketball League was an early professional basketball league. During six seasons from 1925-26 to 1930-31, the ABL was the first attempt to create a major professional basketball league in the United States...
. His career included over 3,200 pro games (a number that would take a modern NBA player 30–40 years to equal).
In addition, he coached and managed for over 30 years, in all of the professional leagues in existence during his career. He was the first coach of the NBA's
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
(1946–1948). He also coached at Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University is a private Roman Catholic university in South Orange, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1856 by Archbishop James Roosevelt Bayley, Seton Hall is the oldest diocesan university in the United States. Seton Hall is also the oldest and largest Catholic university in the...
In 1964, Russell was enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.