On June 12th, 2024, NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles.
Jerry West is an iconic player and manager who has contributed much to the basketball world. He had many honors in his fourteen-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was a 12-time All-NBA selection and a 14-time All-Star, the 1972 All-Star MVP. He became the first and only player ever to win the Finals MVP award while on the losing team in 1969. According to Hoopshype, he ranked 18th on the all-time player list.
Born on May 28, 1938, in Chelyan, West Virginia, Jerry West grew up in a small town with a passion for basketball. His interest in the sport was already showing at an early age as he excelled during his studies at East Bank High School as a player who led his team to a state championship. He furthered his basketball career at West Virginia University, where he turned into a two-time All-American and guided the Mountaineers into the 1959 NCAA championship game.
West was selected by the Minneapolis Lakers with the second overall pick in the 1960 NBA Draft, but the team had relocated to Los Angeles before he played one game. During his career with the Lakers, West rose to become one of the highest scorers in league history, retiring at 25,192 points and putting in an average work ethic of 27 points per game. He didn't stop at merely scoring; he was a great defender and an excellent playmaker, usually leading the team in assists.
One of the greatest moments of West's career occurred in Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals against the New York Knicks, where he needled a 60-foot shot, banking it in at the buzzer and sending the game to overtime despite being down by two. Though the Lakers lost that game, and the series, the incredible shot by West is still vividly remembered as one of the NBA's all-time greats.
After his retirement, West spent three seasons coaching the Lakers and getting them into the playoffs every time. He then became the general manager of the Lakers and constructed the magnificent Lakers dynasty of the 1980s—a team called Showtime—which won five championship rings in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988 for the Lakers. He also worked for Memphis Grizzlies as the GM and was awarded two times by the NBA Executive of the Year once with Grizzlies and once with the Lakers for his effort.
Over the past few years, West has continued to work for the game as a consultant for the Golden State Warriors and then the Los Angeles Clippers. The acumen and experience have paid huge dividends to the success of both these teams. With special consideration to the Warriors, they made great use of his advice during their rise to power in the mid-2010s. They won three championships within four years.
However, part of West's legacy is his contribution to the international growth of the game. He was a big supporter of the NBA's global outreach; even he himself helped popularize basketball worldwide. His influence extended to a lot of players and even executives, as well as many fans across the generations and across continents.
West was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1980. He was named to the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996, the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021, and will be inducted again into the Hall of Fame in 2024, this time as a contributor, due to his work as an executive and consultant.
Beyond this professional frontier, however, West was known more for his resiliency and humility. He overcame personal wars—including some with personal demons directly linked to his depression—openly sharing his struggles with mental health to help set a better path toward awareness and support in sports.
He is survived by his wife, Karen; his sons, David, Michael, and Ryan; and several grandchildren. The family released a statement thanking all for the overwhelming amount of love and support received from fans and by the basketball community in particular. They emphasized West's love for the game and his drive toward excellence, which characterized his life and career.
The basketball fraternity joins in mourning one of the great icons of the program. Tributes have been received from various corners for the deceased iconic figure. According to the Commissioner of the NBA, Adam Silver, West was "a true legend whose impact on the game will be felt for generations." Combined tributes from a host of former players, coaches, and colleagues include stories about West's mentorship, kindness, and competitive fire that remained behind him.
With the passing of Jerry West, an entire era is laid to rest, but what he did will be an inspiration to future generations that play basketball, make administrative decisions, or are even just NBA fans. He pulled off feats on and off the court that make him one of the greatest sports personas ever.