As Russell grew older, he grew a love for basketball. Hall-of-Fame Lakers center George Mikan was his favorite player as he joined McClymonds High School’s basketball team in Oakland.

Next to the ’57 Russell card, only a Bowman rookie card of George Mikan, ... This Bill Russell rookie is now his most expensive card of all-time. Graded a PSA 8.5 and designated a PWCC-E, ...

A personal account from the late Bill Russell perfectly encapsulates Mikan's stature and influence on the game at the time: My first basketball hero was a guy named George Mikan, who was the first ...

Big men like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar applauded Mikan for his size and athleticism. Shaquille O’Neal said Mikan “made basketball bigger.” “You made me, me ...

A 1957 rookie card of the late, great Bill Russell sold for $660,000 at an auction Thursday, according to PWCC Marketplace. ... The other cards are a 1948 Bowman George Mikan rookie card, ...

With all due respect to George Mikan and Bob Cousy, Russell was the league’s first great modern star. ... Bill Russell wasn't slick or a ham, but he was an interesting conversationalist.

Take a look at the numbers behind Bill Russell's Hall of Fame career, ... (and only George Mikan and Tim Duncan did so). Defensive win shares per season. Stepping it up.

A 1957 Topps Bill Russell rookie card has sold for $660,000 at auction, ... The only other pre-1980 basketball cards that sold for more were a 1948 Bowman George Mikan rookie card ...