Legendary NBA Star Jerry West Passes Away
A Sporting Icon Remembered
Jerry Alan West (May 28, 1938 – June 12, 2024) was an American basketball executive and player who played professionally for the Los Angeles Lakers.
West was born in Chelyan, West Virginia, and lived in several towns in the area southeast of Charleston along the Kanawha River. He attended East Bank High School, where he was a standout basketball player. West led East Bank to the state championship in 1956 and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
After graduating from high school, West enrolled at West Virginia University. He played three seasons for the Mountaineers, averaging 24.8 points per game. West was named an All-American in 1959 and 1960 and led West Virginia to the NCAA Tournament in 1959.
West was selected by the Lakers with the second overall pick in the 1960 NBA Draft. He quickly became one of the best players in the league, earning 12 All-NBA selections and 14 All-Star Game appearances. West was also a member of the Lakers' 1972 NBA championship team.
After retiring from playing, West became a successful coach and executive. He coached the Lakers to the NBA Finals in 1970 and 1973 and was the general manager of the Lakers from 1982 to 2000. West helped build the Lakers into one of the most successful teams in the NBA, winning 10 NBA championships during his tenure.
West was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980. He was also named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996 and one of the 75 Greatest Players in NBA History in 2021.
West passed away on June 12, 2024, at the age of 86. He is survived by his wife, Karen, and his four children.
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