re:Russell

[j.hironaka@unesco.org]

Hi list:
    I found news in an Andy Katz' ESPN column (July 1st) that Bill
Russell is trying to land a college head coaching job. Personally, I
think he would be most fulfilled coaching a smaller, no sports
scholarship institution (like one of the Ivy's or any of the small New
England schools). I'll post the article below, along with early news
about this summer's 6-7 prep phenom Gerald Wallace.

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Prep star Gerald Wallace was labeled the No. 1 player in the Class of
2000 because of a stellar weekend in Chapel Hill, N.C., in late May
(....) He was being pursued by Alabama, Auburn, Alabama-Birmingham and
but now add everyone else. Bob Gibbons said Wallace caught his attention
because he "literally gives every ounce of energy on every play and no
other high school player has done that for a long, long time."

For now, he has to make sure he's the best player at this week's ABCD
camp in Teaneck, N.J., continue it through the Big Time tournament next
week in Las Vegas and on through the summer. "We're not making him too
big because he has the skills to do all that stuff," said Dave Telep of
Prep Stars Magazine. "In my four years here, I've never seen a player
dominate like him. He comes down the floor, bangs a 3-pointer from the
side, hits a mid-range jumper, backs defenders in for dunks and hawks
the ball better on defense. It was no fluke. You stick with him as No. 1
until someone  knocks him off."

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While Minnesota conducts its search, there's one stealth candidate who
would certainly have a calming influence -- NBA Hall of Famer Bill
Russell. That's right, one of the greatest players of the century is
interested in getting back into coaching. Russell's representative, Alan
Hilburg, has been entrusted with sending out feelers on Russell's
behalf.

Why now? The 65-year old former Boston Celtic wants to give something
back to the game during this Russell Renaissance. He was named the best
team player on the best team by Sports Illustrated, will likely be in
the top 20 in ESPN's Greatest Athletes of the Century list, was just
given a re-retirement ceremony in Boston and awarded an honorary degree
at Boston College.

"It's the end of the century and so many people are writing about him
and reflecting on him," Hilburg said. "But a lot of journalists didn't
see him play. Bill knows the standards of how to win, play the game and
how to be a good citizen. He can teach players fundamentals but also
teach citizenship and responsibilities. He could also be a mentor."

Hilburg said Russell wants to coach in college because he could affect
lives and that would be a more important legacy "than the fact that he
was the greatest player of all time."

Russell last coached the Sacramento Kings in 1987-88, with his previous
coaching experience coming at Seattle in 1972-74. He retired in 1969
after winning 11 titles with the Celtics. He won NCAA titles at San
Francisco in 1955 and '56.

"He wants to put into the Bill Russell legacy the one piece that hasn't
existed -- being a championship college coach," Hilburg said. "He'd be
willing to give a five-year or more commitment to that."

When asked about Russell, Dienhart said, "we would have to see the level
of interest and anytime you have a celebrity with that type of
background, it's a huge deal. But at that stage of life you have to ask
if he's willing to chase 18-year old kids. We need a coach who would fit
our needs and just because there are great coaches and great people they
may not fit what we need. We need a coach who will rebuild the program
and get his fingernails dirty [to work hard]."

Hilburg said Russell isn't locking in on any one job but is interested
in simply getting back into the game. "He would have a tremendous impact
on any program," Hilburg said.

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