Jerry West FILE PHOTO: Golden State Warriors executive board member Jerry West sits on the bench by NBA logos before the game the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 31, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
By Theresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Jerry West, the NBA legend who inspired the league’s iconic logo, has died, officials with the Los Angeles Clippers announced Wednesday. He was 86.
The Clippers said West died with his wife, Karen, by his side. The team called him “the personification of basketball excellence and a friend to all who knew him.”
From 1960 to 1974, West played 15 seasons for the Los Angeles Lakers, earning the nickname “Mr. Clutch” for his late-game exploits, CBS Sports and The Associated Press reported.
“When the chips were down, West, with his lightning-quick release, was the guy the Lakers turned to for the big basket,” according to NBA.com. “Many players have been tagged with the nickname ‘Mr. Clutch,’ but none of them lived up to it as well as West did. He was responsible for perhaps the most famous buzzer-beater of all time: a 60-foot swish that tied Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals against the New York Knicks.”
For each year of his career with the Lakers, the 6-foot-3 guard was an All-Star. Nine times, he led the team to the NBA Finals.
Jerry West MILWAUKEE, WI - NOVEMBER 26: Jerry West #44 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 26, 1974 at the Milwaukee Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1974 NBAE (Photo by Vernon Biever/NBAE via Getty Images) (Vernon Biever/NBAE via Getty Images)
Three years after his retirement, West returned as head coach of the Lakers for three seasons. From 1982 to 1994, he served as the team’s general manager, helping to build the team’s “Showtime” era and seeing the Lakers to four championship wins, the Los Angeles Times reported. He worked in the team’s front office until 2000, during which time he was credited with drafting players like Magic Johnson and James Worthy, acquiring Kobe Bryant, signing Shaquille O’Neal and hiring head coach Phil Jackson, according to the NBA.
From 2002 to 2007, he served as general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies before he returned to California as an executive with the Golden State Warriors. The team won two NBA championships, one in 2015 and another in 2017, during his time as an executive.
“Jerry West was a basketball genius and a defining figure in our league for more than 60 years,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement obtained by NBC Sports, calling him “a consummate competitor who embraced the biggest moments.”
“I valued my friendship with Jerry and the knowledge he shared with me over many years about basketball and life,” he added. “On behalf of the NBA, we send our deepest condolences to Jerry’s wife, Karen, his family and his many friends in the NBA community.”
West was named to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame three times: in 1980 as a player, in 2010 as a member of the 1960 U.S. Olympic Team and in 2024 as a contributor. Officials noted that he is the first Hall of Famer to be inducted as both a player and a contributor.
West played college basketball at West Virginia University.
Jerry West American basketball player (and later NBA executive) Jerry West, Los Angeles Lakers #44, dribbles the ball down the court against the New York Knicks, 1960s. (Photo by Ken Regan/Getty Images) (Pictorial Parade/Getty Images)
Jerry West American basketball player (and later NBA executive) Jerry West poses in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform and holds a basketball in his hands, 1960s. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Pictorial Parade/Getty Images)
Jerry West NEW YORK, NY - 1960: Jerry West #44 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles down the court during the game against the New York Knicks circa 1960's at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. (Photo by Focus On Sport/Getty Images) (Focus On Sport/Focus on Sport via Getty Images)
Jerry West (Original Caption) Lakers' Jerry West (C) is guarded closely by Celtics' Bill Russell (L) as he goes in for a layup, 3rd period, 1st game of championship playoffs of the NBA, Boston Garden (4/18). Celtics' Willie Naulls is on the right. Celtics won the game, 142-110. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Jerry West UNITED STATES - JANUARY 20: Basketball: All Star Game, Los Angeles Lakers Jerry West in action, taking foul shot during game, Inglewod, CA 1/20/1972 (Photo by George Long/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (SetNumber: X16537 TK2) (George Long/Sports Illustrated via Getty Ima)
Jerry West UNDATED: Los Angeles Lakers Jerry West #44 watches the game from the sidelines. (Photo by Focus on Sport via Getty Images) (Focus On Sport/Focus on Sport via Getty Images)
Jerry West MILWAUKEE, WI - NOVEMBER 26: Jerry West #44 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 26, 1974 at the Milwaukee Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1974 NBAE (Photo by Vernon Biever/NBAE via Getty Images) (Vernon Biever/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jerry West DENVER, CO – MARCH 15: The Los Angeles Lakers coaching staff sits along the sideline of the basketball court while a trainer checks on an injured Lucius Allen #42 during an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets at McNichols Arena on March 15, 1977 in Denver, Colorado.. The Laker coaches from left to right are: Assistant Coach Stan Albeck, Head Coach Jerry West, and Assistant Coach Jack McCloskey. (Photo by Mark Junge/Getty Images) (Mark Junge/Getty Images)
Jerry West INGLEWOOD, CA - CIRCA 1978: Los Angeles Lakers head coach Jerry West talks to his team during a game played circa 1978 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1978 NBAE (Photo by Ron Koch/NBAE via Getty Images) (Ron Koch/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jerry West LOS ANGELE, CA - CIRCA 1978: Head coach Jerry West of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for this photo circa 1978 at The Forum in Inglewood, California. West coached for the Lakers from 1976-79. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) (Focus On Sport/Getty Images)
Jerry West Los Angeles Lakers Jerry West and Magic Johnson and actor Harry Shearer pose in Lakers gear in front of a palm tree in Los Angeles in 1991. (Photo by Bonnie Schiffman/ Getty Images) (Bonnie Schiffman Photography/Getty Images)
Jerry West INGLEWOOD, CA - JULY 19: Shaquille O'Neal #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses with Jerry West as he signs with the team during a press conference on July 19, 1996 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 19896NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jerry West LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 20: A statue is displayed outside Staples Center for former Los Angeles player and general manager Jerry West on February 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
Jerry West OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 27: Executive Board Member Jerry West waves to the crowd during the ring ceremony for the 2015 Golden State Warriors championship season prior to the NBA season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans at ORACLE Arena on October 27, 2015 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) (Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
Jerry West OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors poses for a photo with NBA legend Jerry West after winning the NBA Championship in Game Five of the 2017 NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers on June 12, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jerry West LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 18: Jerry West and Kobe Bryant greet before the game between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers on December 18, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jerry West LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 07: LA Clippers executive board member Jerry West attends a game between the Clippers and the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 7, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Jerry West WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 05: U.S. President Donald Trump (R) gives the Presidential Medal of Freedom to National Basket Ball Hall of Fame inductee Jerry West during a ceremony in the Oval Office at the White House September 05, 2019 in Washington, DC. West played for the Los Angeles Lakers for fourteen years, coached the team for three years and managed them to six national championships. He was also a member of the 1960 Olympic gold medal team. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Jerry West SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 06: Jerry West looks on during the 2019 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Symphony Hall on September 06, 2019 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) (Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
Jerry West CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 19: NBA Legends, Shaquille O'Neal, Bob McAdoo, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Jerry West, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar pose for a photo during the NBA 75 Group Photo as part of the 2022 NBA All Star Weekend on February 19, 2022 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)