Jerry West Logo

The Logo: A Lakers legend as player and executive.

Jerry Alan West (May 28, 1938 – June 12, 2024) was an American basketball player and executive. He played professionally for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), and is universally regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. His nicknames included "the Logo", "Mr. Clutch", "Mr. Outside", and "Zeke from Cabin Creek".

Quick Facts

Subject: Jerry West
Affiliation: Los Angeles Lakers (1960–1974)
Design year: 1969

Lore & Background

West played college basketball for the West Virginia Mountaineers, leading them to the 1959 NCAA championship game. He earned the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player honor despite the loss. He co-captained the 1960 U.S. Olympic gold medal team. In his 14-year NBA career with the Lakers, he was voted 12 times to All-NBA Teams, selected to 14 All-Star Games, and was All-Star MVP in 1972, the year he won his only title.

He holds the NBA record for highest points per game average in a playoff series (46.3). He was a member of the first five NBA All-Defensive Teams. He is the only player to be named Finals MVP despite being on the losing team (1969). After playing, he coached the Lakers for three years, leading them to the playoffs each year.

He then worked as a player-scout for three years before becoming general manager of the Lakers before the 1982–83 season. Under his reign, Los Angeles won six championship rings. He later became general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies, helping them win their first playoff berths. He won the NBA Executive of the Year Award twice (1995 with Lakers, 2004 with Grizzlies).

He won two more NBA titles as a consultant with the Golden State Warriors (2015, 2017). In 2024, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a contributor.

Reader's Guide

Jerry West is remembered as one of the greatest players and executives in NBA history. His silhouette is the basis for the NBA logo. He was known for clutch performances, earning the nickname "Mr. Clutch" for his buzzer-beating 60-foot shot in the 1970 NBA Finals. As a Lakers executive, he built teams that won six championships. He also helped turn around the Memphis Grizzlies franchise and contributed to two Warriors titles as a consultant.