1956 Consensus All-America Basketball featuring Bill Russell and K.C. Jones
The page from the 1957 Official NCAA Collegiate Basketball Guide features the 1956 Consensus All-America selections, highlighting standout collegiate basketball players noted for their exceptional performance during the 1956 season. The first team includes players such as Bill Russell, a 6'10" center from San Francisco; Si Green from Duquesne; Robin Freeman from Ohio State; Ron Shavlik from North Carolina; and Tom Heinsohn from Holy Cross. The second team features notable athletes including K.C. Jones, a 6'1" guard from the University of San Francisco, alongside players like Willis Naulls from UCLA, Bill Topp from Dayton, and Rod Hundley from West Virginia. The consensus reflects players selected for national-wide recognition, underscoring the impressive talent pool in college basketball during the mid-1950s, a pivotal time leading into the growth of the sport and the rise of professional leagues.