Basketball has seen unimaginable growth as a worldwide sport throughout the years. The players’ influence over the fandom is a significant reason behind it. This is not just because of the talent that the players have portrayed on the court, but also of their off-court ventures.

Over the years, a few noteworthy players have been far and above the rest when comparing their influence over the sport. Recently ESPN’s popular analyst Stephen A. Smith gave out his list of the top 5 influential players in NBA history.

The great Bill Russell replaces the Answer

The list from Stephen A. Smith was not what everyone expected. It was quite a surprise to see Allen Iverson not be part of his choices. Subsequently, he replaced Iverson with Bill Russell on his list. It is pretty hard to argue with the influence that both players have had on the younger generation.

Allen Iverson proved to the world that even as a smaller player, you can be better than the bigger athletes if you put in the effort and hone your skills, which eventually gave him the honor of league MVP in 2001.

Read More: 1 Offensive Racial Jab Towards 11x Champ Bill Russell on National TV Cost 79YO Ex-MVP His Job in 1981

Iverson and Kobe were both missing from the list. But it is only when you look deeper into the world of these players that you can see the influence they have had on the people and the culture.

Russell’s influence on basketball and black athletes

Bill Russell was a dominant center for the Boston Celtics in the 1950s and 1960s. He led his team to 11 championships in 13 seasons. On the court, he was versatile with an upside toward defense and a skilled big man who also showed the importance of teamwork and defensive schemes in basketball.

But more than his plays on the court, it was his activities off the court that made him part of this list.

Bill Russell paved the way for future black athletes. He was a great spokesperson and was a major figure during the civil rights movement. He never shied away from discussing racial oppression or injustice. In 2011, he was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama. Russel was the first player to boycott a basketball game for civil rights.

Watch This Story: Skiing With a Pro Turned Hazardous as Man Took 1000 Feet Fall Down the Mountain

Having done so much for the sport, it would be a crime to not have the NBA Legend on any influential list in sports. Do you agree? Share your thoughts in the comments!