NBA Legend Jerry West Passes at 86: A Look Back at His Iconic Career and Legacy
Sportsgrid Staff
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Jerry West, a towering figure in the NBA both as a player and an executive, passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 86, as announced by the LA Clippers. West, whose silhouette is famously considered to be the basis of the NBA logo, leaves behind a legacy that really helped shaped the game of basketball.
West’s illustrious career saw him become the third player in NBA history to surpass 25,000 points. An All-Star in every season of his playing career, he led the Los Angeles Lakers to nine NBA Finals appearances, capturing a title in the 1971-72 season. His accolades include 12 All-NBA selections, an NBA Finals MVP award in 1969 despite being on the losing team, and a place on the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.
“Jerry West was a basketball genius and a defining figure in our league for more than 60 years,” said NBA commissioner Adam Silver. “He distinguished himself not only as an NBA champion and an All-Star in all 14 of his playing seasons but also as a consummate competitor who embraced the biggest moments. I valued my friendship with Jerry and the knowledge he shared with me over many years about basketball and life. On behalf of the NBA, we send our deepest condolences to Jerry’s wife, Karen, his family, and his many friends in the NBA community.”
The NBA plans to honor West with a pregame tribute before Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night.
After his playing days, West transitioned seamlessly into a highly successful executive career. He helped build the Showtime Lakers of the 1980s, a team that won five titles in that decade.
West later joined the Clippers as an adviser in 2017, helping lead the franchise to their first Western Conference finals appearance in 2021.
As a college player at West Virginia, West was a two-time All-American, averaging 24.8 points per game and leading the Mountaineers to the 1959 NCAA championship game, where he was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player despite losing to Cal. He also teamed with Oscar Robertson to secure a gold medal for the U.S. at the 1960 Rome Olympics.
Nicknamed “Mr. Clutch” for his remarkable performances in crucial moments, West was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a player in 1980 and again in 2010 as a member of the 1960 U.S. Olympic Team. He was set to be enshrined for a third time later this year as a contributor, cementing his place in basketball history. West ranks 25th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
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