End of an era: Ajay Sharma retiring from Humber basketball
ETOBICOKE – Humber women's basketball head coach Ajay Sharma – the winningest coach in program history – will retire from Humber basketball at the end of the 2023-24 season. Despite talks of his upcoming retirement, Coach Sharma made it official last week. A ceremony celebrating his legendary career will take place on Feb. 7 before his final regular season home game.
"My time at Humber has been amazing, and I'm honoured to have led this program for over a decade," said Sharma. "I have been blessed to coach some of the best players in OCAA history, and I am eternally grateful to everyone who contributed to my career. So, thank you to the countless members of my extended family."
It does not take long for a conversation about the highest levels of success in Ontario women's basketball to turn to the name Sharma. In 12 seasons at Humber, Sharma – a two-time national and six-time OCAA champion – has built a dynasty that no program in the OCAA can match.
"Ajay's accomplishments will forever hold a very special place in Humber's history," said Director of Athletics Ray Chateau. "He has earned a unique position as a legend and future Hall of Famer not only through his innate understanding of the game but through his ability to connect and impact so many throughout the basketball community. There is no question Ajay is truly one of the great CCAA coaches of all time, and we look forward to celebrating his contributions and accomplishments."
The crown jewels of Sharma's tenure at Humber are the two CCAA national championship banners that hang in the North Campus Gym. His two teams that climbed the CCAA mountaintop are the only OCAA women's basketball teams ever to win a national title.
Sharma joined the Humber family in 2004 as an assistant coach for the men's basketball team, spending six seasons with the squad, capturing four provincial titles under the guidance of Hall of Fame head coach Darrell Glenn.
The pregame ceremony will occur prior to tip-off on Feb. 7.
AJAY SHARMA CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Led Humber to two national championships in 2016 and 2018.
- Career record of 220-37 (.856)
- 2016 CCAA Coach of the Year
- 3x OCAA Division Coach of the Year ('14, '16, '17)
- Coached Humber to four CCAA final four appearances and six national championship tournament appearances
- Six OCAA Provincial Titles ('15, '16, '17, '18, '22, '23)
- Eight OCAA Final Four Appearances
- Eight OCAA Division Titles
- 29-8 record in the OCAA postseason
- Only Humber women's basketball coach to win 200-plus games
- First OCAA head coach to capture a national title in women's team sports
- Has coached three CCAA All-Canadian selections to a total of five honours
- Coached Humber to two of the longest streaks in conference history: 45 consecutive wins against the CCAA and OCAA, spanning two provincial and one national title.
- 81 consecutive regular and postseason conference victories
