Bill Russell attends US World Cup team practice
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EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A special guest stood out at U.S. World Cup practice — former NBA great Bill Russell.
The 76-year-old member of the basketball Hall of Fame looked on as the Americans worked out at Rentschler Field on Monday, a day ahead of an exhibition game against the Czech Republic.
"It's pretty special to see him," said goalkeeper Tim Howard, a high school basketball star at North Brunswick High School in New Jersey. "To be an ultimate great — we work so hard and feel you've got a little bit of success — and then you look at a guy like him and it's like, how the heck do you do that?"
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Howard was hoping to meet Russell after practice. Russell helped the Celtics win 11 NBA titles in 13 seasons from 1956-69.
"It's pretty awesome to be around those type of people," Howard said.