I was the original socially depraved shy ghetto kid.

People have been killing because of racial differences since the time of Adam and Eve, but in this country racism has been primarily aimed at African Americans.

The MVP award was very satisfying in terms of personal accomplishments, but the championship was the most important thing of all.

But as a coach I wanted to keep things from being too complicated.

Russell joined the team in December, 1956, following the Olympics.

I grew up in the heart of the Depression.

You have to remember that coaching wasn't sophisticated back then - you didn't have the camps, clinics and all the technical advances that are available today - so from that standpoint, playing with a cast on my arm was a fortunate event in my life.

I won the city scoring championship as a senior.

Race wasn't an issue. My family was French, but Yorkville was a melting pot of races and cultures.