When Russell was awarded the ring in 1975, he thought he was not worthy of being the first black player. Russell, who has eleven NBA titles, five times selected as MVP and an Olympic gold medalist with the United States in Melbourne in 1956, believes that Chuck Cooper, who became the first black player to sign a contract with an NBA club in 1950, would receive the ring before him.
“I think that others before me would receive the honor. Nice to see that there has been a development ”writes Russel and hashtag with ChuckCooperHallofFame2019.
Cooper passed away in 1984 at the age of 57 and was awarded the ring posthumously in September this year.
Also attending the night's private event was Alonzo Mourning, 49, who won an NBA title with the Miami Heat in 2006 and was part of the Dream Team that won the Olympic gold in 2000.