Sherman White, 6-foot-8, 210-pound first-team All-American superstar for coach Clair Bee’s renowned LIU powerhouse five, was the nation’s leading scorer in 1951, 77 points shy from becoming the all-time marksman in NCAA history. He could finish, go to the hoop, sky, hit the boards hard. He was the forerunner to Elgin, Connie Hawkins, Dr. J. He led his 28-0 Jersey high school to a state championship and was a poor student with a questionable attitude.

He was a child, prone to errors in judgment.

Recently married, White’s future, though, was glowing. He had much to celebrate: Freshly off being named the Sporting News Player of the Year, he was a surefire first-round selection and about to be the third-overall pick in the NBA draft by the New York Knicks. In late February, however, on a col

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