Jerry West

Jerry West was an American basketball player, coach, and executive best known for his long association with the Los Angeles Lakers and for being the silhouette associated with the NBA logo.

Jerry West was an American basketball player, coach, and executive best known for his long association with the Los Angeles Lakers and for being the silhouette associated with the NBA logo. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and, later, a contributor. He died in 2024 at age 86.

Early life and college career

West was born in Chelyan, West Virginia, and attended West Virginia University. He became one of the school’s most celebrated athletes and led the Mountaineers to the 1959 NCAA championship game, earning Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors.

NBA playing career

West played his entire NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1960 to 1974. He was an NBA All-Star in every season of his career, finished with 25,192 points, and won one NBA championship as a player. He became known for his scoring, competitiveness, and clutch play.

Executive career

After retiring as a player, West worked as a coach and front-office executive, including major roles with the Lakers and later with other NBA teams. His executive career made him one of the sport’s most influential team-builders, as he helped build championship teams.

Legacy

West is remembered as one of basketball’s all-time great guards and as a defining figure in NBA history. His silhouette is widely recognized as the model for the NBA logo, and he was honoured with multiple Hall of Fame inductions, including as a player in 1980 and as a contributor in 2024. He was also selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.