BILL SHARMAN - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 37318

BILL SHARMAN
A photograph of Sharman as Head Coach of the Utah Stars, signed in black felt tip
Photograph signed: "Bill Sharman". B/w, 8¼x10 overall, image 7x7¾ (one surface). Captioned at lower margin: "Bill Sharman/Head Coach". Utah Stars logo imprinted at lower left. In the 1970-1971, Bill Sharman (1926-2013) coached the Utah Stars (formerly the Los Angeles Stars) to an ABA title and was further rewarded for his efforts by being a co-recipient of ABA Coach of the Year honors. William Walton "Bill" Sharman (born in 1926) was one of the first NBA guards to push his goal percentage above .400 in a season. Playing primarily with the Boston Celtics over his 11-season career, Sharman was on four championship Celtic teams. He was voted to the All-NBA First or Second teams seven times and he played in eight NBA All-Star games and led the NBA seven years in free throw percentage. After retiring as a player in 1961, Sharman found success as a coach in three professional leagues (the American Basketball League, the American Basketball Association and the NBA). Head coach of the San Francisco Warriors (1966-1968), the Utah Stars (1968-1971; championship in 1971) and the Los Angeles Lakers (1971-1976; championship in 1972), Sharman was named NBA Coach of the Year in 1972, becoming one of only two men (the other was Alex Hannum) to win NBA and ABA championships as a coach. He was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1976 as a player and in 2004 as a coach, joining John Wooden and Lenny Wilkens one of only three men to be enshrined in both categories. Ink has "haloed". Minor surface creases (most not evident head on). Slightly soiled at right and lower blank margins. Overall, fine condition.