From 1951-61, Bill Sharman played shooting guard alongside Bob Cousy and helped lead the Boston Celtics to four NBA titles. Many still consider them one of the greatest backcourts ever. As a player, Sharman was the game’s first true marksmen, known for his high shooting percentages from the field and the foul line. He was an All-Star eight straight seasons (1953-60). From 1950-55, he even played minor league baseball in the Brooklyn Dodgers organization. When his playing career came to an end, Sharman went right into coaching and promptly guided the Cleveland Pipers to the 1961-62 ABL title in his very first season on the sidelines. After two years as head coach of the San Francisco Warriors (post-Wilt), Sharman transitioned to the ABA where he coached the Los Angeles Stars franchise for three years. In his final season with the Stars (1970-71, their first after relocating to Utah), Sharman led his team to the ABA title. He then took over as head coach of the Lakers in 1971-72 delivered the proud franchise its first NBA championship in Los Angeles and its only title during the Chamberlain/West era.
Presented here is Sharman’s 1971 Utah Stars ABA Championship 14-karat gold ring. The large rectangular face reads “UTAH STARS” over a red, white and blue enameled Utah Stars logo with a half carat round-cut diamond and “ABA CHAMPIONS” at the bottom. The right shank features a banner engraved with “SHARMAN” and a casted image of a basketball above the ABA logo. The left shank features a Utah Stars logo as well as a casted image of the Salt Palace and “1971” at the bottom. Stamped inside the band are “14K” and “JBD” [JB Diamonds] hallmarks. The size 10 ring, weighing 62 grams, was presented to Sharman long after his ABA coaching tenure at a Lakers team function in the 1990’s, a highly-appreciated gesture since Bill never got one from the Utah Stars initially.
There are only four two-time inductees in the Naismith Hall of Fame as both player and coach, and Bill Sharman is one of them. He added five more rings as a Lakers executive (GM and Team President) in the 1980’s to become the first North American sports figure to win championships as a player, coach and executive. When you include his ABL and ABA titles, the man won more titles (12) than Bill Russell’s eleven. His immense impacts on the game of basketball include helping to design the three-point line and introducing the “morning shootaround” routine now adopted by every NBA team prior to games. Named one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players in 1996, Sharman passed away in 2013. His ring displays light to moderate wear and comes with a letter of provenance from his wife.