Last Updated on April 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here is the detailed information about Bill Sharman, a legendary NBA player and coach:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: William Walton Sharman
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Passed away at 87 (born May 25, 1926 – died October 25, 2013)
  • Hometown: Abilene, Texas, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
  • Weight: 175 lbs (79 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 2 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 12 (US)
  • Number: Wore jersey number 21
  • Position: Shooting guard
  • High School: Porterville High School (Porterville, California)
  • College: University of Southern California (USC) (1946–1950)
  • NBA Draft: Selected 17th overall in the 1950 NBA Draft by the Washington Capitols
  • Teams Played For:
    • Washington Capitols (1950–1951)
    • Boston Celtics (1951–1961)
  • Championship Rings:
    • 4 NBA Championships as a player with the Boston Celtics (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961)
    • 1 NBA Championship as a coach with the Los Angeles Lakers (1972)
  • Kids: Two children, Jerry and Nancy Sharman
  • Siblings: Information about siblings is not widely reported

Bill Sharman’s player archetype was that of a precision shooting guard, a polished perimeter scorer whose game blended off-ball movement, shot-making, and backcourt poise. Defensively, he handled guard assignments with discipline and competitiveness, relying more on positioning, anticipation, and effort than on overwhelming size or physical force. Offensively, Sharman thrived as a jump shooter, secondary ball-handler, and reliable scoring outlet, giving Boston a guard who could stretch defenses, punish mistakes, and keep possessions flowing alongside a primary playmaker. At 6-foot-2 and 175 pounds, he was relatively lean by modern standards, but he played with balance, timing, and sharp fundamentals. His overall play style was smooth, efficient, and technically sound, built around elite shooting touch, smart movement, and the kind of composed perimeter play that helped define an early championship-era backcourt. (basketball-reference.com)

Sources:

NBA.com — Legends profile: Bill Sharman
Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame — Bill Sharman
Basketball-Reference — Bill Sharman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft …