NBA Legend and Hall of Famer Jerry West Dies at 86
Legendary NBA player and inspiration for the league’s current logo, Jerry West, has passed away at 86. The Los Angeles Clippers announced that West died on the morning of June 12, with his wife Karen by his side.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated: “Jerry West was a basketball genius and a defining figure in our league for more than 60 years. He stood out not only as an NBA champion and a 14-time All-Star, but also as a consummate competitor who thrived in the biggest moments.
He contributed to building eight championship teams during his NBA tenure – a legacy that reflects his on-court excellence. This October, he will be enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor, becoming the first person ever inducted as both a player and a contributor,” Silver added.
“On behalf of the NBA, we extend our deepest condolences to Jerry’s wife, Karen, his family, and his many friends in the NBA community.”
West, known as “Mr. Clutch” on the court, was drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers in 1960, just before the team moved to Los Angeles. He played as a point guard and shooting guard until 1974, becoming a 14-time NBA All-Star and leading his team to the NBA Finals nine times.
West also co-captained the US Olympic basketball team that won gold in 1960.
After retiring from playing, he coached the Lakers for three seasons starting in 1976, then transitioned to scouting and later joined the team’s front office.
As a Lakers executive, West helped rebuild the team, first during the “Showtime” era of the 1980s with Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy, and later in the mid-1990s with Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.
He subsequently held leadership roles with the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, and the Clippers. In 2019, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by then-President Donald Trump.
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