Bill Russell vs. Melvin Sanders Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Melvin Sanders and Bill Russell that includes championships won, honors and awards obtained, regular season and playoffs stats and other data put side by side.

Who scored more points in his career? Who averaged more points in playoffs? Who won more championships? Who led the season more times? Who won more MVP awards? These questions and many more, are answered here. It includes NBA Championships, seasons, playoffs, awards, statistical data for points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and percentages.

Head-To-Head Career Comparison

Bill Russell

vs.

Melvin Sanders

NBA Timeline:	1946-47 2023-24
Bill Russell: 1956-57 to 1968-69
Melvin Sanders: 2005-06 to 2005-06

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships Bill Russell 11 Melvin Sanders 0

NBA Seasons Bill Russell 13 Melvin Sanders 1

Playoffs Played Bill Russell 13 Melvin Sanders 0

All-Star Games Bill Russell 12 Melvin Sanders 0

Honors and Awards

Season MVP Bill Russell 5 Melvin Sanders 0

All-NBA First Team Bill Russell 3 Melvin Sanders 0

All-NBA Teams (Total Selections) Bill Russell 11 Melvin Sanders 0

All-Defensive 1st Team Bill Russell 1 * Melvin Sanders 0

All-Defensive Teams (Total Selections) Bill Russell 1 Melvin Sanders 0

Rebounds Leader Bill Russell 4 Melvin Sanders 0

* Notes: Finals MVP and Defensive Teams awarded since 1968-69.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Bill Russell 15.1 Melvin Sanders 2.6

Rebounds Per Game Bill Russell 22.5 Melvin Sanders 1.4

Assists Per Game Bill Russell 4.3 Melvin Sanders 0.2

Steals Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Melvin Sanders 0.3

Blocks Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Melvin Sanders 0.0

Totals Stats

Total Points Bill Russell 14,522 Melvin Sanders 41

Total Rebounds Bill Russell 21,620 Melvin Sanders 23

Total Assists Bill Russell 4,100 Melvin Sanders 3

Total Steals Bill Russell - n/a ** Melvin Sanders 5

Total Blocks Bill Russell - n/a ** Melvin Sanders 0

Total Games Bill Russell 963 Melvin Sanders 16

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Bill Russell .440 Melvin Sanders .485

3-Point Percentage Bill Russell - n/a ** Melvin Sanders .667

Free Throw Percentage Bill Russell .561 Melvin Sanders .700

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Bill Russell 18.9 (1962) Melvin Sanders 2.6 (2006)

Rebounds Per Game Bill Russell 24.7 (1964) Melvin Sanders 1.4 (2006)

Assists Per Game Bill Russell 5.8 (1967) Melvin Sanders 0.2 (2006)

Steals Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Melvin Sanders 0.3 (2006)

Blocks Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Melvin Sanders 0.0 (2006)

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Bill Russell 16.2 Melvin Sanders -

Rebounds Per Game Bill Russell 24.9 Melvin Sanders -

Assists Per Game Bill Russell 4.7 Melvin Sanders -

Steals Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Melvin Sanders -

Blocks Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Melvin Sanders -

Totals Stats

Total Points Bill Russell 2,673 Melvin Sanders -

Total Rebounds Bill Russell 4,104 Melvin Sanders -

Total Assists Bill Russell 770 Melvin Sanders -

Total Steals Bill Russell - n/a ** Melvin Sanders -

Total Blocks Bill Russell - n/a ** Melvin Sanders -

Total Games Bill Russell 165 Melvin Sanders 0

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Bill Russell .430 Melvin Sanders -

3-Point Percentage Bill Russell - n/a ** Melvin Sanders -

Free Throw Percentage Bill Russell .603 Melvin Sanders -

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Bill Russell 22.4 (1962) Melvin Sanders -

Rebounds Per Game Bill Russell 29.9 (1961) Melvin Sanders -

Assists Per Game Bill Russell 6.3 (1965) Melvin Sanders -

Steals Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Melvin Sanders -

Blocks Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Melvin Sanders -

Notes: ** Blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74, this player has no data for the stat. Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80, this player has no data for the stat.