Former basketball player Jerry West, who served as inspiration for the NBA logo, died Wednesday at the age of 86, confirmed the Los Angeles Clippers, where he worked as a consultant.
The basketball legend entered the Hall of Fame in 1980 as a player after a glorious career with the Los Angeles Lakers. West received this honor again in 2010 as a member of the 1960 U.S. Olympic team.
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Jerry West in 2019
Photo : Getty Images / Omar Rawlings
The man nicknamed Mr. Clutch, due to his many exploits at the end of the match, will be inducted a third time later this year as a builder.
West was the personification of basketball excellence and the friend everyone knew, the Clippers said in the press release announcing his death. His wife Karen was at his bedside when he passed away, the organization said.
Born in Cabin Creek, a village in West Virginia, into a family of six children, he took up basketball after the trauma of the death of his older brother in the Korean War.
West was selected 14 times to the All-Star Game, 12 times to the NBA All-Star team, helped lead the Lakers to the 1972 championship, was named MVP of the 1969 Finals, despite a setback, and was chosen in the all-star team marking the 75th anniversary of the circuit.
After retiring as a player in 1974, West became the coach of the Lakers from 1976 to 1979, before being named general manager from 1982 to 2000. He notably orchestrated the successful recruitments of Kobe Bryant, then Shaquille O’Neal .
West was the GM of eight championship Lakers teams, helping to build the legendary Showtime dynasty. He also held various management positions with the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors and Clippers.
2024-06-12 15:28:57
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