Russell was born on September 27, 1955, in Stockton and has resided most of his life in the Stockton area. He attended Tyler and Hoover Elementary Schools, Webster Jr. High School, and Stagg High School, graduating in 1973. He attended University of San Francisco from 1973-76 and University of the Pacific from 1976-78. He graduated from UOP with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration.
Russ played on the varsity basketball team in his sophomore year at Stagg High School and was selected as Honorable Mention All-League.
In the 1971-72 and 1972-73 seasons, he led his teams to undefeated seasons (25-0 and 28-0). His teams won their league and section titles. Russ was selected First Team All-League and All-Area, and was the Player of the Year both years. He was also selected to the Northern California First Team and High School Player of the Year. After his senior season, he was selected to the All-State Team.
He enrolled at University of San Francisco. As a freshman he was sixth man on the team, which won the league and lost to UCLA in the NCAA finals. His sophomore season, he started on a team that was rebuilding. As a junior he again was sixth man on a team that played in the NIT Tournament, which was played at Madison Square Garden, losing to North Carolina in the first round.
In 1976-77, he transferred to UOP but had to red shirt. In his final collegiate season at Pacific, he led his team to a 17-10 season record, scoring 17.6 points, six rebounds, and four assists per game while playing 37 minutes per game. He was named to the Pacific Coast Athletic Association All-League First Team. After being drafted in the 5th round by the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA draft, he played professional ball in Finland.
He assisted coach Tom Conway at Stagg High School for a season before going to work for the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office. While a sheriff’s deputy, he participated in the Bacon Bash Charity Football games played each year between the Stockton Police and the Sheriff’s Department. One year he caught four touchdown passes and was named co-Most Valuable Player.
With the Sheriff’s Department he helped coach neighborhood youth on recreational basketball teams at Franklin High School and Hamilton Middle School.
Russ retired from the Sheriff’s Department with the rank of Sergeant in 2011, after 30 years.
