If you grew up in the early 1970s, you knew him as the coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. If you’re a Boston Celtics fan, you know him as half of one of the NBA’s all-time great backcourts. Bill Sharman spent over 25 years in pro basketball (and even some pro baseball). Now, a surviving relic from his career as Bob Cousy’s running mate during the Celts’ glory days is about to hit the auction block.
A 1950s jersey donned by Sharman will be among the featured attractions in Heritage Auctions’ February catalog where it’s expected to sell for $40,000 or more.
Rated A10 by MEARS, which cited “heavy” game wear. The Horace Partridge manufactured size 42 jersey has a team repair near the letter”B” on the chest. The Partridge label includes a now illegible black marker notation.
Sharman is one of only four men to have been inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and coach (only his former teammate Tom Heinsohn, Lenny Wilkens and John Wooden are part of that elite club).
Sharman’s career actually began as a second round draft pick of the Washington Capitols in 1950 before being traded to the Celtics, where he won four NBA championships and was named to eight All-Star teams. One of the first players to carry a shooting percentage of over .400, he led the NBA in free throw percentage seven times. Sharman once made 56 consecutive free throws in playoff competition, a record that still stands. He was the MVP of the 1955 All-Star Game. Boston retired his number 21 in 1966.
The auction, which includes hundreds of items, is expected to open February 1 and close over two days, February 23 and 24.
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