Campy Russell
Birthdate: January 21, 1952
Birthplace: Jackson, Tennessee
High School: Pontiac (Michigan) Central (1970)
College: University of Michigan (1974)
Year Inducted: 2014
When Michael Campanella “Campy” Russell was recruited by the University of Michigan, he was labeled the best prep basketball player in the nation by Basketball News and he was a two-time Michigan high school Player of the Year.
In 1972-73, he averaged 18.4 points and a team-best 9.6 rebounds per game. In 1973-74 he averaged 23.7 points and 11.1 rebounds as the Wolverines shared the Big Ten regular season championship and played in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in eight years. They lost to eventual champion Marquette, 72-70, in the Regional final.
Entering the NBA draft after his second year, Russell was selected by Cleveland in the first round (No. 8 overall) and played six seasons with the Cavaliers (1974-75 to 1979-80). He spent three years with the New York Knicks, leading the NBA in 3-point percentage (.439) in 1981-82, and returned to Cleveland for the 1984-85 season.
Russell was one of the Cavs’ most popular players and remains in the team’s top 10 in six categories – a tribute to his all-around ability. Russell got his bachelors degree from Michigan in 2000 and became a member of the team’s staff in 2002. Campy Russell is Director of Alumni Relations for the Cleveland Cavaliers and serves as co-host of the Cavaliers pregame and postgame show, Cavaliers Live, on Fox Sports Ohio.
