Bill Sharman

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Lore & Background

Sharman's impact on the court was immediate and enduring. He led the NBA in free throw percentage a record seven times, including five consecutive seasons, and set an all-time mark of 93.2% in the 1958–59 season that stood until Ernie DiGregorio broke it in 1976–77. His career free throw percentage of .883 remains 15th all-time through the 2025–26 season. Sharman was also a pioneer for guards, becoming one of the first to shoot better than .400 from the field, achieving a .450 mark in 1953–54. He earned All-NBA First Team honors four consecutive times (1955–1958) and was named the MVP of the 1955 NBA All-Star Game after scoring ten of his fifteen points in the fourth quarter, setting a record for field goals attempted in a quarter with 12. His partnership with Cousy was so formidable that they were universally recognized as the premier backcourt of their time.

In Their Own Story

The chemistry between Sharman and Bob Cousy was the engine behind Boston's success, but Sharman brought a unique calmness and precision to the game. In 1951, following the collapse of his previous team, the Washington Capitols, Sharman arrived in Boston via a complex transaction involving Chuck Share that owner Walter A. Brown later called heavily lopsided in favor of the Celtics. Once in green and white, Sharman dominated the scoring charts for five straight years. His 93.2% free throw percentage in 1958–59 was a feat of such accuracy that it stood as the league record for nearly two decades. Beyond scoring, he held an NBA playoff record with 56 consecutive made free throws. On the court, he was known as 'Battling Bill,' a nickname that stuck even after his rookie days, reflecting his relentless competitive spirit. He played in eight All-Star games, scoring double figures in seven of them, proving his consistency at the highest level.

Reader's Guide

For fans studying the blueprint of the Celtics' early dominance, Sharman's role is essential to understand. He was not just a scorer but a fundamental technician who led the league in free throw percentage seven times. His ability to score over 20 points per game for three seasons while leading the team in scoring from 1955 to 1959 showcased his offensive reliability. Defensively and offensively, he complemented Bob Cousy perfectly; where Cousy was flashy, Sharman was precise. He won four championships with Boston during a decade where the team made the playoffs every single year of his tenure (1951–1961). His legacy includes holding the record for consecutive free throws in the playoffs (56) and being named to the All-NBA First Team four times consecutively. Sharman's career with Boston ended in 1961, leaving a standard of excellence that defined the franchise's identity.

Did You Know?

• Sharman still holds the NBA record for consecutive free throws made in a playoff game with 56.
• He led the NBA in free throw percentage seven times, including five consecutive seasons.
• His 93.2% free throw percentage in the 1958–59 season remained an NBA record until Ernie DiGregorio broke it in 1976–77.
• Sharman was named the MVP of the 1955 NBA All-Star Game after scoring ten of his fifteen points in the fourth quarter.