A Look Back At His Incredible Career

Jerry West, NBA Legend and Los Angeles Lakers Great, Dies at 86

A Look Back at His Incredible Career

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Jerry West, the legendary NBA player and executive who spent most of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 86. Considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, West's contributions to the sport are immeasurable.

Born on May 28, 1938, in Chelyan, West Virginia, West quickly rose to prominence as a high school basketball star. He went on to play for West Virginia University, where he led the Mountaineers to the NCAA Tournament Final Four in 1959. After graduating from college, West was drafted by the Lakers with the second overall pick in the 1960 NBA Draft.

West played 14 seasons with the Lakers, forming a formidable duo with Elgin Baylor. He was known for his deadly jump shot, tenacious defense, obsessive perfectionism, unabashed confidence, and an uncompromising will to win. West was an eight-time All-Star and won an NBA championship in 1972. He also represented the United States at the 1960 and 1964 Summer Olympics, winning gold medals both times.

After retiring as a player, West served as the Lakers' general manager from 1972 to 2000. During his tenure, he helped build the "Showtime" Lakers dynasty of the 1980s and early 1990s, which featured stars like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy.

West was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1980 and as a contributor in 2010. He is also a member of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players in NBA History list.