Jerry West, a former NBA champion who was immortalized in the NBA logo, died at the age of 86 this week. West will go down as one of the largest contributors to the game of basketball after making his mark on the sport for several decades. The Hall of Fame guard won the 1972 NBA title as a player and then won eight more as an executive. West set up the blueprint for the Los Angeles Lakers' 10 championship teams in the 1980s and 2000s, while also serving as an adviser for the Golden State Warriors.
Before reaching the NBA, West was a standout in the state of West Virginia as he dominated the high school ranks before landing at the University of West Virginia as a collegiate player. West is the Mountaineers' all-time leading scorer with 2,309 points and had his No. 44 retired by the school.
After a legendary career at the collegiate level, West was selected by the Minneapolis Lakers as the No. 2 pick in the 1960 NBA Draft, after another Hall of Famer, Oscar Robertson, was selected No. 1 overall in that draft by the Cincinnati Royals.
West served as the co-captain on the 1960 United States Olympic men's basketball team, while also appearing in 14 NBA All-Star Games. He even helped the Lakers defeat the New York Knicks in the 1972 NBA Finals and led the team in assists in each of the five games in that series.
"We are overwhelmed by the love, support, and appreciation we have received from friends, colleagues, and basketball fans around the world," West's family said in a statement shared by the Clippers. "Jerry took incredible pride in his life-long association with the NBA. He felt fortunate to have been a player, coach, and executive during a time of explosive growth in the league. Above all else, Jerry cherished the close friendships and mentorships he formed with his teammates, coaches and players throughout his 64-year-career. We want to thank you, basketball fans everywhere, for supporting him. You fueled his burning desire to win -- he did it for you."
West leaves behind an iconic legacy when it comes to the sport of basketball. As a result, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, franchise legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson, NBA commissioner Adam Silver, and many others paid tribute to the star player and executive on social media.
Will truly miss our convos my dear friend! My thoughts and prayers goes out to your wonderful family! Forever love Jerry! Rest in Paradise my guy! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🤎
— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 12, 2024
The reason Jerry West is the logo for the NBA is because he embodied the qualities we admire in our best athletes: skills as a player, dedication as a teammate, and integrity as a person. He was my coach, and my advisor, but mostly he was my friend. Today, a part of the continent… pic.twitter.com/oUOxelWavo
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) June 12, 2024
I met Jerry West for the first time in 1979 at the Forum where he introduced me to Bill Sharman, Chick Hearn, and then Laker owner Jack Kent Cooke. My father, agent and I negotiated over lunch then Jerry took me to the locker room to show me my Lakers jersey. I started to cry and… pic.twitter.com/o9xMDu50Wv
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 12, 2024
Statement from Pat Riley on passing of Jerry West: “I loved Jerry West! We loved being Lakers together; it was sacred ground. We grew in life with each other and shared the best and worst of times together. We can only hope there is someone we meet during a crucial time in our…
— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) June 12, 2024
Was a pleasure to have met & get the opportunity to talk with THE LOGO multiple times!
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) June 12, 2024
One of the best guards ever & people! R.I.P. to a Legend! 🙏🏽
Jerry West is one of my favorite people that I had the honor to get to know in the NBA. He welcomed me to the league, offered advice from the first day, and asked nothing in return. He will be missed. Rest in peace.
— Micky Arison (@MickyArison) June 12, 2024
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on the passing of Jerry West: pic.twitter.com/hZuxpIKMGd
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 12, 2024
Jerry West, the personification of basketball excellence and a friend to all who knew him, passed away peacefully this morning at the age of 86. His wife, Karen, was by his side. pic.twitter.com/iMwOXmCT2B
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) June 12, 2024
West Virginia University mourns the passing of the legendary Jerry West, an iconic figure in basketball history.
— WVU Men's Basketball (@WVUhoops) June 12, 2024
Forever a Mountaineer. pic.twitter.com/M4ZYxUBTEL
RIP Jerry West, I’ll be always grateful 🙏🏽 Prayers up pic.twitter.com/9wp2yz6rIB
— Nicolas Batum (@nicolas88batum) June 12, 2024
The Dodgers mourn the passing of NBA Hall of Famer and Lakers legend Jerry West, an indelible figure on the Los Angeles sports landscape for more than 60 years. We send our most sincere condolences to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/wdRMw137lg
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 12, 2024
THE WORD “DOG” COMES UP ALOT… WELL I WAS A WOLF BC I USE TO EAT DOGS.! -JERRY WEST #RIP
— JAE CROWDER (@CJC9BOSS) June 12, 2024