Jerry West, an illustrious American basketball luminary, amassed a fortune of $50 million at his life’s twilight. West’s entire professional tenure was devoted to the Los Angeles Lakers within the NBA’s grand arena. Occupying the guard position, he garnered accolades by being selected 12 times to the All-NBA First and Second Teams and graced nine NBA Finals with his prowess.
Jerry West Early Life and College Career
Upon hanging up his jersey, West transitioned to the role of head coach for the Lakers, a position he held for three years before ascending to the mantle of general manager. In 1996, he was enshrined as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history, a testament to his indelible impact on the sport. Additionally, he served as co-captain of the 1960 U.S. Olympic gold medal team in Rome, further cementing his legacy.
Jerry West departed this world on June 12, 2024, at the venerable age of 86, leaving behind a legacy that will resonate through the annals of basketball history.
Jerry West entered the world in 1938 in Chelyan, West Virginia, as the fifth of six offspring to parents Cecil and Howard. His early years were marked by an outgoing nature, but the tragic loss of his older brother David in the Korean War rendered him timid and withdrawn.
From 1952 to 1956, West attended East Bank High School, where he honed his basketball skills under the guidance of coach Duke Shaver. Quickly rising through the ranks, he became captain of the freshman team and secured a position as the starting small forward. His talent on the court earned him All-State honors from 1953 to 1956, and in his final year, he was also named All-American. West’s crowning achievement during his high school tenure came in 1956, when he led his team to clinch the state championship title.
The prowess West displayed drew the attention of over 60 universities, but he chose to remain in his native state by enrolling at West Virginia University. As a freshman, he contributed to an undefeated season with a flawless 17-0 record. His junior year saw him tying the NCAA five-game tournament record with an impressive 160 points, earning him the title of Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. In his senior year, West reached several career peaks, including an average of 29.3 points per game and accumulating 134 assists over the season. By the end of his collegiate career, he had amassed a total of 2,309 points and 1,240 rebounds, leaving a significant mark on the university’s basketball legacy.
In 1960, Jerry West was selected as the second overall pick by the Minneapolis Lakers, just before the franchise moved to Los Angeles. West quickly made his mark, helping the Lakers advance to the 1961 NBA Playoffs. By the following season, he had become the team’s leading scorer, boasting an average of 30.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, earning him All-NBA First Team honors. The Lakers not only returned to the playoffs but also reached the finals, where they were defeated by the Boston Celtics, igniting one of the NBA’s most storied rivalries.
During the 1962-63 season, West was once again named an NBA All-Star and secured a spot on the All-NBA First Team. The Lakers faced the Celtics in the finals yet again, with the same unfortunate outcome. The subsequent season proved challenging for the Lakers, who managed only 42 wins and were eliminated by the Hawks in the first round of the playoffs.
In the 1965 playoffs, Jerry West set an NBA record by averaging 46.3 points per game, though the Lakers were again defeated by the Celtics in the finals. The following season, West achieved a career-high average of 31.3 points per game and set an NBA record with 840 free throws, earning him further accolades including All-Star and All-NBA First Team honors. However, the finals brought another loss to the Celtics.
The 1966-67 season was disappointing for the Lakers, and they faced yet another finals defeat to the Celtics in 1968. Seeking to strengthen their roster, the Lakers acquired NBA MVP Wilt Chamberlain from the Philadelphia 76ers. This addition helped the team reach their sixth finals in eight years against the Celtics. Despite West’s incredible performance, including a triple-double with 42 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists, the Lakers lost a close game, 108-106.
West had one of his finest seasons in 1969-70, leading the NBA in scoring and earning his first of four All-Defensive First Team honors. During the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks, West made a legendary buzzer-beating 60-foot shot, though the Lakers ultimately lost in an upset.
The 1971-72 season brought greater success. West and the Lakers embarked on a record-setting 33-game win streak, finishing the regular season with 69 victories. West was named an All-Star, All-NBA, and All-Defensive First Team player, and earned the MVP title in the 1972 All-Star Game. That season, the Lakers triumphed in the finals, defeating the Knicks and giving West his first NBA title.
West’s final season as a player was 1973-74, where the Lakers won 47 games but lost to the Bucks in the playoffs. Contract disputes led to West’s retirement after this season. At the time of his retirement, West held the record for the most points scored in Lakers history.
Jerry WestCoaching and Career
Jerry West transitioned to a new role as head coach of the Lakers for the 1976-77 season. Over his three-year coaching stint, he guided the team to a commendable 145-101 record, ensuring playoff appearances each season and reaching the Western Conference Finals in 1977. After coaching, West served as a scout for three years before being appointed general manager of the Lakers. As GM, he was instrumental in the team securing five championship titles in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988.
In 2002, West took on the role of general manager for the Memphis Grizzlies, where he played a pivotal role in leading the team to its first playoff appearance. His exceptional management skills earned him the NBA Executive of the Year Award twice, acknowledging his significant contributions to both the Lakers and the Grizzlies. After retiring as GM, West joined the Golden State Warriors as an executive board member, and in 2017, he became an executive board member of the Los Angeles Clippers.
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