Bill Sharman

William Walton "Bill" Sharman (born May 25, 1926 in Abilene, Texas) is a former pro basketball player and coach. Sharman served during World War II from 1944 to 1946 in the US Navy He is mostly known for his time with the Boston Celtics in the 1950s, partnering Bob Cousy in what some consider the greatest backcourt duo of all time. While Cousy was primarily the playmaker, Sharman was the shooter.

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May 25 - 1926 - Abilene, Texas - Basketball - World War II - US Navy - Boston Celtics - 1950s - Bob Cousy

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From 1950 to 1955 Sharman played professional baseball in the Brooklyn Dodgers minor league system.

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Professional baseball - Brooklyn Dodgers - Minor league

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He was one of the first guards to shot better than .400 from the field. Sharman ended his career after 11 seasons in 1961. In 1970/71 he coached the Utah Stars to an ABA title. The following season he guided the Los Angeles Lakers to their first championship for more than a decade and was named NBA Coach of the Year. He is one of two men to win NBA and ABA championships as a coach, the other being Alex Hannum.

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1961 - Utah Stars - ABA - Los Angeles Lakers - NBA Coach of the Year - Alex Hannum

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Sharman was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1976 as a player. In 2004, he was also enshrined as a coach. He is one of only three people to be enshrined in both categories, after John Wooden and Lenny Wilkens.

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Basketball Hall of Fame - 1976 - 2004 - John Wooden - Lenny Wilkens

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