Hall of Fame NBA player and executive Jerry West — who won eight NBA titles as a member of the front office for the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors — died Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles Clippers.
West, known as “The Logo” due to his silhouette being used as the NBA logo, was 86 years old.
West, whose teams often came up short against Bill Russell and the Celtics in the ’60s, finally won his only title as a player with the Lakers in 1972. Though his teams often came up short for the title, West won the NBA Finals MVP in 1969 — the first award ever given — despite losing the series.
Jerry West #44 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball up court against the Baltimore Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1972 at the Baltimore Civic Center in Baltimore, Maryland. West played for the Lakers from 1960-74.
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“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,” the Clippers announced in a statement.
West had been an executive with the Clippers since 2017. He made his name as an executive with the Los Angeles Lakers, though.
He served as executive during the run of the Showtime Lakers, led by Magic Johnson, during the 1980s. The team won five championships during the decade (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988).
“Jerry’s four decades with the Lakers also included a successful stint as a head coach and a remarkable run in the front office that cemented his reputation as one of the greatest executives in sports history,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “He helped build eight championship teams during his tenure in the NBA – a legacy of achievement that mirrors his on-court excellence. And he will be enshrined this October into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor, becoming the first person ever inducted as both a player and a contributor.
Born in West Virginia in 1938, he also earned the nickname “Zeke from Cabin Creek” for his humble upbringing. He stayed home to attend West Virginia University, and led his squad to the NCAA title game in 1959. The team came up short against California, but West won the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player anyway — a foreshadowing of his 1969 NBA Finals MVP.
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Jerry West, the legendary Hall of Fame player and executive for the Los Angeles Lakers, has passed away at the age of 86. West, known as “Mr. Clutch” for his ability to perform under pressure, was a key figure in the Lakers’ success during the 1960s and 1970s.
West was born in Chelyan, West Virginia in 1938 and grew up playing basketball in the coal mining town. He went on to play college basketball at West Virginia University, where he quickly made a name for himself as one of the top players in the country. In 1960, West was drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers, who would later become the Los Angeles Lakers.
During his 14-year playing career with the Lakers, West was a 14-time All-Star and won an NBA championship in 1972. He was known for his scoring ability, tenacious defense, and leadership on the court. West was also a two-time NBA scoring champion and was named to the All-NBA First Team 10 times.
After retiring as a player, West transitioned into a successful career as an executive. He served as the general manager of the Lakers from 1982 to 2000, during which time the team won six NBA championships. West was instrumental in building championship teams around superstars like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O’Neal.
In addition to his success with the Lakers, West also had a successful tenure as the general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies from 2002 to 2007. He was responsible for drafting future stars like Pau Gasol and acquiring key players through trades and free agency.
Off the court, West was known for his philanthropy work and dedication to giving back to his community. He was involved in numerous charitable organizations and was a vocal advocate for mental health awareness.
The passing of Jerry West is a great loss to the basketball community. His impact on the game as both a player and executive will be remembered for generations to come. West’s legacy as one of the greatest Lakers of all time will live on through his contributions to the sport and his lasting influence on future generations of players and executives. Rest in peace, Mr. Clutch.
