NBA Legend Jerry West: Lakers Legend and 9-Time Champion Dies at 86

NBA legend Jerry West passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 86.

The Los Angeles Clippers, where West served as a consultant, confirmed his passing with a statement: “The personification of basketball excellence and a friend to all who knew him, passed away peacefully this morning at the age of 86. His wife, Karen, was by his side.”

West’s illustrious career began with the West Virginia Mountaineers from 1957 to 1960. He was then drafted in the first round by the Los Angeles Lakers, where he played until 1974.

After his playing career, West coached the Lakers from 1976 to 1979. As general manager, he played a pivotal role in creating the “Showtime” Lakers of the 1980s, a dynasty celebrated in the HBO series Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.

“Jerry West was a basketball genius and a defining figure in our league for more than 60 years,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “Not only was he an NBA champion and an All-Star in all 14 of his playing seasons, but he also embraced the biggest moments, earning him the nickname Mr. Clutch. He was the league’s first Finals MVP, and his ability to rise to the occasion was unparalleled.”

Silver continued, “Jerry’s four decades with the Lakers included a successful stint as head coach and a remarkable run in the front office, where he helped build eight championship teams. This October, he will be enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor, making him the first person inducted both as a player and a contributor.”

West’s iconic silhouette is also the basis for the NBA logo.

“Jerry had a brilliant basketball mind and loved the game passionately,” said Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s First Take. “He will be sorely missed.”

Reflecting on West’s legacy, Mike Greenberg of ESPN’s Get Up stated, “It’s hard to describe the magnitude of his career. Jerry West is one of the greatest figures in basketball history, both as a player and as an executive. His impact on the game is immeasurable.”