Jerry West
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Jerry West is a retired American professional basketball player best known for his illustrious career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. Renowned for his clutch performances and his iconic silhouette featured in the NBA logo, West earned several nicknames reflecting his prowess, including “Mr. Clutch,” “The Logo,” “Zeke from Cabin Creek,” and “Mr. Outside.”
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 28 May, 1938
- Age
- 81 yrs
- Occupations
- Basketball player
Basketball coach
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- Citizenship
- United States of America
- Birth Place
- Chelyan
- residence
- Chelyan
- Education
- West Virginia University
- Gender
- Male
- Description
- American basketball player and executive
- Net Worth 2021
- 50 million
Early Life and Education
Jerry Alan West was born on May 28, 1938, in Chelyan, West Virginia. He was the fifth of six children born to Howard West, an electrician in the coal mines, and Cecile West, a homemaker. The family lived modestly, and Jerry’s early years were marked by financial struggle and personal hardship.
As a child, Jerry was shy and introverted. His life changed dramatically when his older brother, David, was killed during the Korean War—an event that deeply affected him. Physically frail and frequently administered vitamin injections, Jerry was at first discouraged from sports. However, after becoming captivated by a basketball hoop attached to a neighbor's garage, he began obsessively practicing his shooting skills.
West attended East Bank High School in West Virginia, where he quickly gained recognition for his talent on the basketball court. He played from 1952 to 1956, becoming a standout athlete. He continued his basketball journey at West Virginia University, where he led the Mountaineers to the NCAA championship game in 1959 and was named the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player.
NBA Career and Achievements
Jerry West’s professional career stands among the most celebrated in NBA history. He played as a guard for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1960 to 1974. Over his 14-season NBA career, he was selected to the All-Star team 14 times and earned 10 All-NBA First Team selections, along with two All-NBA Second Team nods. In 1972, he won both the NBA Championship and was named the NBA All-Star Game MVP.
West became known for his exceptional scoring ability and tenacity under pressure. He held the record for the highest point average in a single playoff series, averaging 46.3 points per game. He also made the All-Defensive First Team four times once the award was introduced when he was already 32. West appeared in nine NBA Finals and, despite being on the losing side in 1969, was uniquely honored as the NBA Finals MVP—a distinction still unmatched.
In 1996, he was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, further sealing his legacy. After retiring as a player, partly due to physical wear and contractual tension with Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke, West served as head coach of the Lakers for three seasons from 1976 to 1979.
