Jerry West was an American basketball player and executive. He enjoyed a storied career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. Known as “the Logo” for his silhouette, which inspired the iconic NBA logo, he earned other nicknames like “Mr. Clutch” for his knack for making crucial plays, including his legendary buzzer-beating 60-foot shot that tied Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals against the New York Knicks. His sharpshooting abilities also earned him the moniker “Mr. Outside,” highlighting his prowess in perimeter play for the Lakers. Additionally, he was affectionately known as “Zeke from Cabin Creek,” a nod to the creek near his hometown of Chelyan, West Virginia.
Jerry West Age, Wiki, Biography
Jerry West’s full name is Jerome Alan West. Jerry West was born on 28 May 1938 in Chelyan, West Virginia, U.S. Jerry West’s height is 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m). His weight is 175 lb (79 kg). Jerry West’s nationality is American.
Jerry West did his studies at East Bank High School in East Bank, West Virginia, from 1952 to 1956. West completed his high school education at East Bank High School in 1956, attracting attention from over 60 universities across the country. Ultimately, he decided to remain close to home and enrolled at West Virginia University (WVU) in Morgantown.
Jerry West Cause of Death
Jerry West Wife, Children
Jerry West was a married man. He married twice. Jerry West’s first wife was Martha Jane Kane. They married in 1960 and got divorced in 1976. In 1978, Jerry West married second time with Karen West. The couple was together till his death. Jerry had five children- Jonnie West, Ryan West, Michael West, Mark West, and David West.
Jerry West Parents, Siblings
Jerry West’s parents were Cecil Sue West and Howard Stewart West. Jerry West’s mother was a housewife and his father was a coal mine electrician. During his childhood, West endured significant challenges. His father’s physical abuse led him to keep a loaded shotgun under his bed for self-defense, fearing for his safety. Initially outgoing and aggressive, the tragic loss of his older brother, David, in the Korean War in 1951, plunged him into a period of shyness and introversion.
Despite these hardships, West found solace in outdoor activities like hunting and fishing. His true passion, however, lay in basketball, spending endless hours shooting hoops at a neighbor’s makeshift setup on a storage shed. West’s dedication to perfecting his game never wavered, whether in mud, snow, or facing repercussions from his mother for arriving late to dinner.
Jerry West Career
Jerry West began his basketball journey as a standout small forward at East Bank High School and later at West Virginia University, leading the Mountaineers to the 1959 NCAA championship game where he earned the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player honor, despite the team’s loss in the final. His illustrious career continued with the Los Angeles Lakers, spanning 14 years and including a co-captaincy of the 1960 U.S. Olympic gold medal team, which was collectively inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.
Transitioning to the guard position in the NBA, West achieved remarkable success. He was selected 12 times for the All-NBA First and Second Teams, participated in 14 NBA All-Star Games, and earned the All-Star MVP award in 1972, the same year he clinched his sole NBA championship title. Known for his scoring prowess, West holds the NBA record for the highest points per game average in a playoff series at 46.3. He also made history as a defensive stalwart, being named to the inaugural five NBA All-Defensive Teams (one-second team, followed by four first teams) introduced when he was 32.
Despite being on the losing side in nine NBA Finals, West’s outstanding performance in the 1969 series earned him the distinction of being the only player in NBA history to receive the Finals MVP award while on the losing team. In recognition of his exceptional career, West was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980 and named to the NBA 35th Anniversary Team. He further cemented his legacy as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996 and was honored again on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.
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