NBA legend Jerry West passed away this week at the age of 86.
June 12, 2024, published at 1:00 PM ET
NBA legend Jerry West passed away this week at the age of 86, RadarOnline.com can confirm.
West, who played for the Los Angeles Lakers for fourteen seasons, died Wednesday morning.
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The Los Angeles Clippers, for whom West worked as a consultant for seven years before his sudden death on Wednesday, confirmed the legend's passing in a moving statement.
“Jerry West, the personification of basketball excellence and a friend to all who knew him, passed away peacefully this morning at the age of 86,” the Clippers said in a statement. rack on Wednesday morning. “His wife, Karen, was by his side.”
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NBA commissioner Adam Silver also confirmed West's death this week. Silver called West a “basketball genius” and said the now 86-year-old NBA basketball legend was a “defining” figure in the league.
“I valued my friendship with Jerry and the knowledge he shared with me over the years about basketball and life,” Silver said sincerely. tribute shortly after West's death was announced.
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Silver continued, “On behalf of the NBA, we extend our deepest condolences to Jerry's wife, Karen, his family and his many friends in the NBA community.”
Although the NBA Hall of Famer was known for his fourteen seasons with the Lakers from 1960 to 1974, he also coached the Los Angeles team for four seasons from 1976 to 1979.
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West's time with the Lakers – whether as a player, coach or general manager – spanned a period of approximately 40 years.
“Jerry's four decades with the Lakers also included a successful stint as head coach and a remarkable performance in the front office that cemented his reputation as one of the greatest managers in sports history,” the NBA commissioner said Wednesday.
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West's time with the Lakers – whether as a player, coach or general manager – spanned a period of approximately 40 years.
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“He helped build eight championship teams during his tenure in the NBA – a legacy of achievement that reflects his excellence on the court.”
West's legendary status within the NBA was further cemented in 1969 when his silhouette was first featured in the NBA's official and iconic red, white and blue logo.
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According to branding pioneer Alan Siegelwho designed the now famous NBA logo, he chose West's silhouette because West had “an important history in the NBA.” Siegel “always admired West” as a player.
“I always admired him, but I liked the photo because it was nice and vertical and had this movement,” Siegel explained in 2021 — about three years before West passed away this week. “I was a fan of his and he was one of those people who had a great history in the NBA.”
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West's legendary status within the NBA was further cemented in 1969 when his silhouette was first featured in the NBA's official and iconic red, white and blue logo.
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“When designing the logo, I never said it was based on a photo of him,” Siegel admits. “It wasn't discovered until years later.”
RIP Jerry West.
