Sherman White (basketball) facts for kids

Sherman White (born December 16, 1928 – died August 4, 2011) was a talented American basketball player. He played for Long Island University (LIU). Sherman is mostly remembered because he was involved in a point shaving scandal. This meant he lost many awards and was not allowed to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

In his final year of college (1950–51), Sherman was one of the best scorers in the country. He averaged 27.7 points per game. He was very close to breaking a major college scoring record. But because of the scandal, he had to stop playing college basketball early.

Early Life and High School Success

Sherman White was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Englewood, New Jersey. His father was an engineer who worked hard to support their family.

In 1943, Sherman started high school at Lincoln High in Jersey City. After one year, he moved to Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood. There, he quickly became the star basketball player. His coach, Tom Morgan, was a big influence on him.

As a senior in 1946–47, Sherman led Morrow High to an amazing undefeated season (28 wins, 0 losses). They won the Northeastern High School championship. He also set a New Jersey record by scoring 49 points in one game. Everyone agreed he was one of the best players in the state.

Even though Sherman was a great athlete, he struggled with his schoolwork. Some colleges were interested in him for scholarships. However, they changed their minds because of his grades.

College Basketball Journey

Sherman asked his high school coach, Tom Morgan, for advice on which college to choose. Coach Morgan wanted him to go to Villanova University. Sherman respected his coach, so he agreed.

Time at Villanova

Sherman started at Villanova in the fall of 1947. But he soon realized it wasn't the right place for him. Villanova was a Catholic school, and at that time, there were no other African American students there. Sherman felt uncomfortable. Also, the special physical education major he was promised wasn't available. After six months, he left Villanova and went back home to Englewood.

Joining Long Island University

Soon after returning home, Sherman was contacted by Long Island University (LIU) coach Clair Bee. Coach Bee invited Sherman to try out with the LIU varsity team. Even though he was playing with experienced players, Sherman stood out. He was offered a scholarship and joined the LIU freshman team in February 1948.

Coach Bee made sure Sherman had everything he needed to succeed. He even arranged for the local YMCA courts to be open all night for practice. Sherman became friends with a teammate named Eddie Gard. Eddie seemed friendly, but he was also involved in something that would cause big problems for Sherman later.

Sherman's first year on the varsity team was a bit slow. But by his sophomore season, he became a starter and his playing improved a lot. He averaged 9.4 points per game. The next year, as a junior (1949–50), Sherman became a national star. He averaged over 22 points per game. He was named a Second Team All-American. He also won the Haggerty Award as the best player in the New York area. He led LIU to a big tournament called the 1950 National Invitation Tournament. On February 28, 1950, he set LIU records by scoring 63 points and making 27 shots in one game.

The Scandal Begins

During his junior season, Sherman started to notice that some teammates, especially Eddie Gard, were playing unusually poorly. In one game against NC State, Sherman noticed Eddie giving him "bad passes." At this time, Sherman didn't know about the point shaving scandal. Only a few players were purposely trying to lose games.

By his senior year (1950–51), Sherman knew about the scandal and became involved. In an interview years later, he explained that Eddie Gard convinced him to join. Eddie told him they could make money and that no one would get hurt except the gamblers. Sherman felt pressured by his friends and wanted to help his family, so he agreed.

Point shaving means players purposely don't play their best to make sure their team wins or loses by a certain number of points. This helps people who bet on games. Sherman agreed to either play poorly to affect the score or even lose games on purpose.

Professional Career After College

After the scandal, Sherman White was not allowed to play in the NBA. He played in a league called the Eastern Professional Basketball League on weekends. He played for teams like the Hazleton Hawks, Baltimore Bullets, and Wilkes-Barre Barons for ten seasons. During this time, he also worked selling things like storm windows and cars.

Sherman was a great player in this league. He was named the EPBL Most Valuable Player in 1955. He was also chosen for the All-EPBL First Team five times.

Sherman White's Legacy

Many people thought Sherman White would be a top pick in the 1951 NBA Draft. The New York Knicks were planning to draft him and offer him a lot of money for that time (about $12,000 to $13,000). However, because of the scandal, he and other players involved were banned from the NBA for life.

Because he never got to play in the NBA, Sherman White is often remembered as one of the best college basketball players who never played professionally. In 2007, a sports website called TheDraftReview called him "the best basketball player you never knew." They even said he might have been the best college player in New York history. Many people wonder if the Knicks could have won the 1952 and 1953 NBA championships if Sherman had been allowed to play. In 1984, Madison Square Garden named Sherman White to its all-time college basketball team.

Personal Life

Sherman White was married twice. With his second wife, Ellen, he raised six children. He also coached basketball at YMCAs in Newark and East Orange, New Jersey.

A TV channel, HBO, wanted to interview him for a documentary about the 1951 college basketball scandal. But Sherman refused. He was upset because HBO had wrongly said he had a criminal record as a young person, which he said wasn't true.

Sherman White passed away on August 4, 2011, in Piscataway, New Jersey. He died from heart problems.

See also

• CCNY point shaving scandal
• List of NCAA Division I men's basketball players with 60 or more points in a game
• List of people banned or suspended by the NBA