Jerry West
Inducted:
1980- As Player
2024- As Executive
Player Stats
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
Born
May 28, 1938
Chelyan, West Virginia, U.S.
Died
June 12, 2024
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Position
Point guard
Contributor – Executive
College
West Virginia (1957–1960)
Jerry West was one of the most accomplished guards in NBA history and the face of the league during the 1960s and early 1970s. Playing his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1960 to 1974, West was known for his scoring ability, clutch shooting, and strong leadership. He earned 14 NBA All-Star selections and was a consistent offensive force, averaging more than 27 points per game over his career.
West played in nine NBA Finals and finally captured an NBA championship with the Lakers in 1972. In 1969, he became the only player in league history to win the NBA Finals MVP award while playing for the losing team, highlighting his remarkable performance.
For his extraordinary career and lasting impact on the game, Jerry West was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980 and 2024.
West's Awards and Honors
As Player
- NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player (1959)
- 2× Consensus first-team All-American (1959, 1960)
- Third-team All-American – AP, UPI (1958)
- 2× SoCon Player of the Year (1959, 1960)
- 44 retired by West Virginia Mountaineers
As Executive
- 8× NBA champion (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2015, 2017)
- 2× NBA Executive of the Year (1995, 2004)
- Advised Warriors to two championships (2015, 2017)
- Drafted and acquired Kobe Bryant & Shaquille O’Neal
NBA Records
- NBA champion (1972)
- NBA Finals MVP (1969)
- 14× NBA All-Star (1961–1974)
- NBA All-Star Game MVP (1972)
- 10× All-NBA First Team (1962–1967, 1970–1973)
- NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1969)
- NBA scoring champion (1970)
NBA Teams
As Player
Los Angeles Lakers (1960–1974)
As Executive
Los Angeles Lakers
General Manager (1979-2000)
Memphis Grizzlies
President of Basketball Operations (2002–2007)
Golden State Warriors
Adviser (2011–2017)
Los Angeles Clippers
Consultant (2017–2024)
NBA Draft
1960: 1st round, 2nd overall pick
Los Angeles Lakers/Minneapolis Lakers
Number Worn
44
NBA Stats
As Player
Seasons:
14 (1960–1974)
Games Played:
932
Points:
25,192 (27.0 ppg)
Rebounds:
5,366 (5.8 rpg)
Assists:
6,238 (6.7 apg)
Steals:
81 (2.6 spg)
Blocks:
23 (0.7 bpg)
As Executive
All-Star Selections:
14
All-NBA First Team:
10
NBA All-Defensive First Team:
4
NBA Finals MVP:
1969
NBA Championship:
1972