- One of the game’s defining figures on and off the court
- Won nine championships as a player and executive
Jerry West, who was selected to the Basketball Hall of Fame three times in a storied career as a player and executive and whose silhouette is the basis of the NBA logo, died on Wednesday morning, the Los Angeles Clippers announced. He was 86.
West, nicknamed “Mr Clutch” for his late-game exploits as a player, went into the Hall of Fame as a player in 1980 and again as a member of the 1960 US Olympic Team in 2010. He will be enshrined for a third time later this year as a contributor.
He was general manager of eight NBA championship teams with the Los Angeles Lakers, helping build the “Showtime” dynasty. He also worked in the front offices of the Memphis Grizzlies, the Golden State Warriors and the Clippers.