Emanuel Sharp still remembers the way the crowd roared when his dad lifted the trophy. It’s a memory frozen in time — Derrick Sharp hoisting the silverware after another title win with Maccabi Tel Aviv, and little Emanuel, just a toddler in a striped shirt with a white bag slung over his shoulder, dancing with joy on the hardwood beside him.  That image ended up in a newspaper. The kind of keepsake you don’t just frame — you carry it with you.

Fast-forward nearly two decades, and Emanuel Sharp is creating his own headlines — this time in Houston red, not Maccabi yellow.

The 6-foot-4 guard, raised on the rhythm of bouncing basketballs and booming arenas, has stepped into the spotlight at the University of Houston. As a freshman, he came off the bench, torching defenses as a sixth man. Now, he’s leading Houston to a Final Four matchup against Duke, fresh off being named the Big 12 Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.

Big-time moment. Big-time player. Sharp’s story is only getting started — and it’s starting to pay off too.

What are Emanuel Sharp’s NIL deals as of 2025? 

When you watch Emanuel Sharp knock down threes or throw his body into the lane like he’s on a mission, you’re not just watching a baller putting up stats—you’re watching a rising face of the Houston Cougars’ brand. That’s why Linking Coogs made sure to get him on board.

Sharp officially signed with Linking Coogs on April 10, 2024. The Houston-focused NIL collective has been working behind the scenes to open doors for student-athletes like Sharp, especially now with UH stepping into the national spotlight and the Big 12 grind. And so far, it’s paying off. Linking Coogs has already pushed over $2 million in NIL deals in just six months. That kind of support? It’s more than just cash—it’s belief.

“Transitioning to the Big 12, we know how important NIL is to be able to compete at a championship level,” said Landon Goesling, a spokesperson for the collective. “We are excited to help our student-athletes through these opportunities.”

And Emanuel Sharp is a big part of that push. His NIL valuation, according to On3, stands at $14,800, a testament to his growing presence both on and off the floor. He’s not alone either. Alongside fellow Cougars like Jamal Shead, Terrance Arceneaux, and Ja’Vier Francis, Sharp is leading a wave of Houston talent making their mark in this new era of college sports.

One of the standout partnerships came through TDECU, Houston’s largest credit union, which signed Sharp in March 2023. But this wasn’t your typical endorsement deal. As part of the “TDECU Assists” campaign, student-athletes like Sharp were encouraged to perform random acts of kindness on campus—things as simple as picking up a tab at the dining hall or helping classmates with a ride. The idea? To bridge the gap between the team and the broader student body.

“We take pride in supporting these exceptional student-athletes,” said TDECU SVP Sheiludis Moyett. “TDECU Assists serves as the foundation for our future endeavors in the NIL space.”

TDECU isn’t just helping Sharp off the court. They’re backing the whole Cougars program. From putting their name on John O’Quinn Field at TDECU Stadium, to hosting March Madness watch parties, to flipping every billboard in town to support the Cougars during the NCAA Tournament run, TDECU is making sure the city of Houston knows who they ride with.

Sharp also partnered with Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, announcing the deal on Instagram. Let’s be real—college kids and burgers? That’s a combo you can’t beat. But this was more than a fast-food hookup. It was another sign Sharp’s NIL profile is growing alongside his on-court game.

And make no mistake—he’s earned that buzz. As a freshman, he scored 171 points, earned All-Freshman Team honors in the AAC, and showed up big-time when the stakes were highest—claiming the Big 12 Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award.

For a kid raised around pro hoops, who once danced next to his dad on a championship podium in Tel Aviv, these moments are what it’s all about. NIL deals like the ones from Linking Coogs, TDECU, and Freddy’s aren’t just perks. They’re stepping stones. They’re signs that Emanuel Sharp’s name is becoming part of the city’s basketball fabric.

And the way things are going, it’s only the beginning.

Which high school did Emanuel Sharp attend?

Before Emanuel Sharp suited up for the Houston Cougars, he built a game that stretched across continents. Born in Tel Aviv in 2004, he grew up in a home where basketball wasn’t just a sport — it was a way of life. His dad, Derrick Sharp, spent 18 seasons lighting it up for Maccabi Tel Aviv and hit one of the wildest buzzer-beaters in EuroLeague history the same year Emanuel was born. His mom, Justine Ellison Sharp, carved out her own decade-long pro career after starring at the University of Toronto.

So yeah — hoops ran deep in the Sharp household. “I grew up around professional basketball,” Emanuel says. “That’s really all I know.”

He lived in the locker rooms, soaked in practices, and watched his parents compete at the highest levels overseas. By the time he was a teen, his game already reflected it. At just 15, he suited up for Israel in the FIBA U16 Division A Tournament and averaged 25 points per game against some of Europe’s top young talent.

“You go overseas and see how different the game is,” he says. “It helps you grow.”

When the Sharp family moved to Derrick’s home state of Florida, Emanuel brought that maturity and edge with him. He enrolled at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School in Spring Hill — where his dad took over as head coach — and quickly became one of the most electric players in the state.

As a sophomore in 2019–20, he led all scorers in Florida’s Class 5A and finished among the Top 20 nationally, putting up 31.9 points per game. The next year, he took it even further. He earned Florida’s Class 3A Player of the Year honors after leading the Hurricanes to their first-ever state title game appearance. He dropped 33 points in that one, including 16 of his team’s final 19.

That season opener? He went for 23 points and 14 assists in a win over King High School. Then followed it up with 25 points, four assists, and four steals against Admiral Farragut. His polish, poise, and feel for the game stood out — traits that rarely show up in a box score but came from a childhood spent around professionals.

“I grew up in the locker room – everybody knew my dad and they knew me,” Sharp told the jhv. “Kids would ask for me to take pictures with them because they knew I was his son.”

The recruiting world took notice. Emanuel climbed to No. 60 nationally in the ESPN 100 and earned 4-star status from ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports. He ranked as the No. 11 shooting guard by ESPN, No. 18 by 247Sports, and No. 20 by Rivals. Big-time programs lined up: Texas Tech, Arizona, Florida, Louisville, Rutgers, Clemson, Penn State, SMU, Iona, and USF all wanted him.

But Houston won him over. He committed to the Cougars and enrolled early, graduating high school ahead of schedule in December 2021. He sat out that spring to recover from injury, but once he stepped on the floor, he didn’t look back.

As a redshirt freshman in 2022–23, he chipped in 5.9 points across 33 games. Then, in 2023–24, he broke out. Emanuel started all 22 games he played, averaged 12.6 points on the season, and hit big shots when it mattered most. In the second round of the NCAA Tournament, he dropped a career-high 30 points and drilled seven threes in a thrilling 100–95 win over Texas A&M. He poured in 23 against San Diego State in an overtime battle and hit five threes against Hofstra.

When Houston made its run through the Big 12 Tournament, Emanuel helped power them to a title and walked away with Most Outstanding Player honors.

Through it all, Israel remained close to his heart. He said he’d love to suit up for the national team again if the timing works. “It is a very beautiful country,” he said. “We had a chance to travel a lot and see a lot of the religious sites. Even though I’m not too religious, seeing and experiencing that was great.”

He remembers when David Blatt — his dad’s former coach — took over the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014. “When he coached the Cavs, we got tickets to the game and went in the locker room to meet LeBron James and Kevin Love,” he said.

Now, the things he once saw as a kid at Maccabi practices hit differently. They mean more. He understands the grind, the pressure, the expectation — because he’s living it. “This team is special,” Sharp said. “With the way we’re playing right now, we can only get better. We’re not even close to how good we can be at the end of the year.”

So sure, Emanuel Sharp went to high school in Spring Hill, Florida. But he built his game around the world — and he’s just getting started.

What is Emanuel Sharp’s net worth as of 2025?

If you try to Google Emanuel Sharp’s net worth, you won’t get much. No confirmed figures. No flashy Forbes blurbs — at least not yet.

But that doesn’t mean his value isn’t growing. In fact, if you’ve been paying attention to what he’s doing at Houston, you can feel it. This isn’t just about stats or scholarship perks. It’s about trajectory. It’s about potential.

Because right now? Emanuel Sharp is quietly becoming one of the most promising guards in college hoops.