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18/04/1966 Bill Russell becomes first African American coach in NBA history

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Celebrating Black History: Bill Russell

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Bill Russell's first day of Boston Celtics training camp as player-coach

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NBA Hall of Famer Bill Russell on being among first black coaches in pro sports

Russell played in the wake of pioneers like Earl Lloyd or Chuck Cooper, and he was the first African American player to achieve superstar status in the NBA. He also served a three-season stint as player-coach for the Celtics, becoming the first African-American coach in North American pro sports and the first to win a world championship.