# Best NBA players from before Bill Russell became pro **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [October 24, 2018, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-nba-players-from-before-bill-russell-became-pro/823464 "2018-10-24T23:16:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Steven\_Estes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2018, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-nba-players-from-before-bill-russell-became-pro/823464/1 "2018-10-24T23:16:59Z")
Which NBA players from before Bill Russell became a pro would be stars, even minor stars, today. I refer to absolute ability, not to dominance in their time. (Thus, George Mikan would not be a candidate.) I can think of only Bob Cousy and Bob Petit. Any others? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2018, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-nba-players-from-before-bill-russell-became-pro/823464/2 "2018-10-24T23:44:17Z")
Bill Sharman, maybe. Eight time all-star. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2018, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-nba-players-from-before-bill-russell-became-pro/823464/3 "2018-10-25T00:43:08Z")
Ed McCauley was the AP Player of the Year in college. As a pro he averaged 1,100 points per season, more than 35 minutes per game, and played in seven consecutive All-Star games. Unfortunately, he’s best remembered as the player the Celtics traded to get Bill Russell.