Jerry West, a legendary NBA player and basketball executive who played a significant role in multiple championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, passed away at the age of 86. Throughout his career, West had successful stints as an executive with the Memphis Grizzlies, the Golden State Warriors, and the Los Angeles Clippers. He was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame three times, first as a player in 1980, then as a member of the 1960 U.S. Olympic basketball team in 2010, and finally as a contributor in 2024.
West began his basketball journey in Chelyan, West Virginia, where he had a successful high school career before leading West Virginia University to the NCAA championship in 1959. He then joined the Los Angeles Lakers, where he played for 14 years and won a championship in 1972. After retiring as a player in 1974, West went on to become a coach and later the general manager of the Lakers, helping shape the legendary “Showtime” dynasty that won five championships.
Throughout his illustrious career, West was known for his late-game heroics and was nicknamed “Mr. Clutch” and “Zeke from Cabin Creek,” referencing his hometown in West Virginia. He was also part of the NBA’s 75th-anniversary team and received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 2019, President Donald Trump awarded West the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his contributions to basketball and American society as a whole.
West is survived by his wife Karen and five sons. His impact on basketball will always be remembered as one of the greatest players of all time who left an indelible mark on both teams he played for and contributed significantly to shaping their successes over time through leadership roles within those organizations until his passing at age 86
