Bill Russell vs. Kobe Sanders Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Kobe 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

NBA Timeline:	1946-47 2025-26
Bill Russell: 1956-57 to 1968-69
Kobe Sanders: 2025-26 to 2025-26

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships Bill Russell 11 Kobe Sanders 0

NBA Seasons Bill Russell 13 Kobe Sanders 1

Playoffs Played Bill Russell 13 Kobe Sanders 0

All-Star Games Bill Russell 12 Kobe Sanders 0

Honors and Awards

Season MVP Bill Russell 5 Kobe Sanders 0

All-NBA First Team Bill Russell 3 Kobe Sanders 0

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

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

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

Rebounds Leader Bill Russell 4 Kobe 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 Kobe Sanders 6.5

Rebounds Per Game Bill Russell 22.5 Kobe Sanders 1.9

Assists Per Game Bill Russell 4.3 Kobe Sanders 1.3

Steals Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Kobe Sanders 0.6

Blocks Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Kobe Sanders 0.1

Totals Stats

Total Points Bill Russell 14,522 Kobe Sanders 110

Total Rebounds Bill Russell 21,620 Kobe Sanders 32

Total Assists Bill Russell 4,100 Kobe Sanders 22

Total Steals Bill Russell - n/a ** Kobe Sanders 10

Total Blocks Bill Russell - n/a ** Kobe Sanders 2

Total Games Bill Russell 963 Kobe Sanders 17

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Bill Russell .440 Kobe Sanders .414

3-Point Percentage Bill Russell - n/a ** Kobe Sanders .348

Free Throw Percentage Bill Russell .561 Kobe Sanders .917

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Bill Russell 18.9 (1962) Kobe Sanders 6.5 (2026)

Rebounds Per Game Bill Russell 24.7 (1964) Kobe Sanders 1.9 (2026)

Assists Per Game Bill Russell 5.8 (1967) Kobe Sanders 1.3 (2026)

Steals Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Kobe Sanders 0.6 (2026)

Blocks Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Kobe Sanders 0.1 (2026)

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Bill Russell 16.2 Kobe Sanders -

Rebounds Per Game Bill Russell 24.9 Kobe Sanders -

Assists Per Game Bill Russell 4.7 Kobe Sanders -

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

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

Totals Stats

Total Points Bill Russell 2,673 Kobe Sanders -

Total Rebounds Bill Russell 4,104 Kobe Sanders -

Total Assists Bill Russell 770 Kobe Sanders -

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

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

Total Games Bill Russell 165 Kobe Sanders 0

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Bill Russell .430 Kobe Sanders -

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

Free Throw Percentage Bill Russell .603 Kobe Sanders -

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

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

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

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

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

Blocks Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Kobe 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.