This February 12 marks what would have been the 92nd birthday of one of the most iconic figures in basketball history-Bill Russell. The Hall of Fame center, who passed away in August 2023, left a legacy that stretches far beyond the hardwood. And now, the University of San Francisco, where Russell’s rise to greatness began, is honoring him in a way that speaks to both his impact on the court and his influence off it.
USF is set to host the inaugural Bill Russell Impact Classic, a tribute game that will pit the Dons against Oregon State at War Memorial Gym inside the Sobrato Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time on February 12, a date chosen with deep significance-it’s Russell’s birthday.
This isn’t just another commemorative game. It’s a celebration of a man who changed the game and helped reshape the country’s understanding of leadership, equality, and excellence.
Russell’s journey from Monroe, Louisiana to college stardom at USF from 1953 to 1956 was nothing short of remarkable. Alongside future Celtics teammate KC Jones, he led the Dons to back-to-back NCAA championships, putting the program on the national map.
That dominance caught the eye of the NBA, and in the 1956 Draft, Russell was selected second overall by the then-St. Louis Hawks-before being dealt to the Boston Celtics in a move that would forever alter the league’s landscape.
But this game is more than a nod to basketball history-it’s about legacy. And in that spirit, USF will also honor Russell’s widow, Jeannine Russell, with an honorary doctorate during the event. It’s a fitting gesture, recognizing the continued impact of the Russell family and the values Bill championed throughout his life.
Russell wasn’t just a winner-though with 11 NBA titles, five MVPs, and two NCAA championships, he certainly was that. He was a trailblazer, a fierce advocate for civil rights, and a leader who understood that greatness isn’t just measured in rings, but in the lives you touch and the barriers you break.
The Bill Russell Impact Classic is a chance to reflect on all of that. It’s a moment for USF, the basketball community, and fans everywhere to remember a giant of the game-not just for what he did, but for what he stood for. Come February 12, the spotlight will shine on War Memorial Gym, but the echo of Bill Russell’s legacy will be heard far beyond those walls.