The Los Angeles Clippers announced that NBA legend Jerry West passed away Wednesday morning. He was 86 years old.
“Jerry West, the epitome of basketball excellence and a friend to all who knew him, passed away peacefully this morning at the age of 86,” the Clippers wrote. “His wife, Karen, was at his side.”
West, known affectionately as “Mr. Clutch,” has been elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame three times: in 1980 as a player and in 2010 as a member of the 1960 U.S. Olympic gold medal team. He will be inducted for the third time as a contributor later this year.
West remains deeply ingrained in the NBA to this day, with his silhouette believed to have been the inspiration for the league's logo.
His playing career included 14-time NBA All-Star selections, 12-time All-NBA selections, five-time NBA All-Defensive selections, the 1972 NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers, the 1969 NBA Finals MVP (on the losing side), nine Finals appearances and a 1960 Olympic gold medal.
As an executive, West brought “Showtime” to Los Angeles. He was the Lakers' coach from 1976 to 1979 and general manager from 1980 to 2000, leading the Lakers to six championships with stars such as Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal.
West joined the Golden State Warriors front office in 2011 after several years with the Memphis Grizzlies and led the team to NBA titles in 2015 and 2017.
West has served as an executive officer and consultant to the Clippers since 2017.
“Jerry West was a basketball genius and a league icon for more than 60 years,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “He stood out not only as an NBA champion and an All-Star for 14 seasons, but also as a consummate competitor who seized the biggest moments. He was the league's first Finals MVP, and his ability to rise to the occasion was a defining characteristic of his, earning him the nickname 'Mr. Clutch.'”
“Jerry's four decades with the Lakers included success as a head coach and outstanding front office performance that cemented his reputation as one of the greatest executives in the history of sports. He helped build eight championship teams during his time with the NBA, a legacy of accomplishments that reflect his excellence on the court. And he will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor this October, becoming the first person to be inducted as both a player and a contributor.”
“I treasured my friendship with Jerry and the knowledge he shared with me over the years about basketball and life. On behalf of the NBA, I offer my deepest condolences to Jerry's wife Karen, his family and his many friends in the NBA community.”
