Sherrod was born in Wichita, Kansas, the youngest of 5 brothers; his father died when he was 2 years old. Sherrod had an early growth spurt and in 2nd grade was already much taller than his peers: due to his height, his brother Avery invited him to join his team of 6th-graders. He decided to attend Wichita Heights High School, and he entered the varsity basketball team in his sophomore year. Under coach Charles "Goose" Doughty, JR (1933–2013), who Sherrod considered a father figure, in his junior year he averaged 24 points per game. He was considered a good defender and a smooth shooter.1981–82 Shocker Basketball, Wichita State University, 1981, p. 15.
