Sharman had a solid but not great career at USC. He appearing in 82 career games for the Trojans and averaged just 13 points a game. He played all four years at USC before going pro.

The Washington Capitols selected Sharman in the 2nd round of the 1950 NBA draft. Sharman only appeared in 31 games for the Capitols averaging 12 points a game. These capitols are not related to the current Washington franchise. The Capitols disbanded following Sharman’s rookie season and Sharman was selected by the Fort Wayne Pistons in the dispersal draft. The Capitols are the last NBA franchise to fold.

Sharman never appeared in a game for the Pistons as he was dealt to the Boston Celtics shortly after the Pistons acquired him. While with the Celtics Sharman began playing baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers minor league affiliate. He was called up a few times but never appeared in a game. During a game in 1951 the entire Dodgers bench was ejected for arguing and Sherman holds the distinction of being the only MLB player to have been ejected from a game without actually ever appearing in a game.

The first years in Boston were a bit rocky for Sharman who appearing in 68 games getting about 22 minutes a game. The third year of his career was when Sharman really took off. He averaged 16 points a game and became the first NBA player to shoot over 40% in a season, he was also named to the all-star team for the first time. Sharman would make eight consecutive appearances at the mid-season classic.

Sharman was paired in the back court with Bob Cousey in what some consider the greatest back court in NBA history. The two helped change Boston from one of the loveable losers into a title contender. Before the arrival of Sharman and Cousey the Celtics had just one playoff appearance and had not had a winning season. Prior to their arrival the best record Boston ever had was 20-28 in 1948, their first season together in the back court the Celtics went 39-30. Another key factor for the Celtics was the hiring of Red Auerbach.

Sherman’s numbers continued to improve with each season and the Celtics continued to get better, but they where always one piece away from winning the title and in 1956 they got their piece in the from of San Francisco product Bill Russell. Sharman would break the 20 points per game barrier for the first time that season averaging 21 points a game and the Boston Celtics would win their first NBA title. The Celtics would go on to win 11 titles in 13 years, however Sharman was only part of four of them.

In 1958 Sharman averaged a career high 22 points a game but the Celtics lost to the Hawks in the NBA finals. Following the 58 campaign Sherman’s numbers began to dip as he was now over 30 years old and age became a huge factor. He retired in 1961 having won 4 NBA titles, been selected to 8 all-star games and having appearing in 711 career games with averages of 18 points a game.

Sharman got into coaching following his NBA career. He coached the San Francisco Warriors from 66-68, than the Los Angeles Stars of the ABA starting in 1968. When he Stars relocated to Utah in 1970 he followed them. He guided the Utah Stars to the 1971 ABA championship than accepted the head coaching job with the Los Angeles Lakers and lead them to the 1972 NBA champion becoming the only person to guide a team to ABA and NBA titles in consecutive years. He continued to coach the Lakers until 1976.

He was elected to the hall-of-fame in 1976 as a player and than as a coach in 2004. Only Lenny Wilkens and John Wooden join him in that company. He was also selected as one of the top 50 players in 1996.

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