Olympic Legends - 1956 Melbourne Games

LONDON (Olympics) - One of basketball's true legends, Bill Russell, featured at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne for the United States.

Fresh off a dominating collegiate career with the San Francisco Dons, the 6ft 10in (2.08 m) center delayed his professional career so he could represent his country in international competition.

The United States had swept the field at the 1948 London Games and 1952 Helsinki Games, and they did the same in Melbourne.

The main difference was that the Games Down Under didn't start until mid-November. The United States, who were coached by the Phillips 66ers AAA coach Gerald Tucker, didn't arrive in Melbourne until 15th.

When the Games finally got underway, Russell and guard Jones – the pair that had led the Dons to the NCAA title in 1956 - helped make sure the gold medal was never in doubt.

The Americans rolled to a 98-40 opening win over Japan, a 101-29 victory over Thailand, a 121-53 triumph over the Philippines, an 85-44 rout of Bulgaria, a 113-51 demolition of Brazil and an 85-55 drubbing of the Soviet Union.

The team then hammered Uruguay, 101-38, in the Semi-Finals before beating the USSR again, this time in the battle for gold, 89-55.

Robert Jeangerard had 16 points for the United States in that title triumph.

Uruguay defeated France, 71-62, to capture the bronze medal.

Oscar Aldo Moglia played for Uruguay and led them in scoring at the Melbourne Olympics.

He poured in 25 points in the win over France.

Russell delayed the start of his career with the Boston Celtics in order to play at the Olympics. Jones also put off the start of his Celtics career in order to play in Australia.

FIBA