Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jerry West

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Jerry West made an impact.

Jerry West, nicknamed "the Logo," "Mr. Clutch," "Mr. Outside," and "Zeke from Cabin Creek," was an American basketball player and executive. He is considered one of the greatest NBA players of all time, playing his entire professional career with the Los Angeles Lakers. "The Logo" nickname is derived from his silhouette being the basis for the NBA logo. West was known for his clutch performances, highlighted by his buzzer-beating 60-foot shot in the 1970 NBA Finals.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1953: Increased Height and Starting Position

During the summer of 1953, Jerry West grew to 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) and became the starting small forward for his high school team.

1958: Junior Year at WVU

In 1958, during his junior year at WVU, Jerry West scored 26.6 points per game and grabbed 12.3 rebounds per game.

1959: Collegiate Season Highs

During the 1959-60 collegiate season, Jerry West enjoyed several career highs, including scoring 29.3 points per game and grabbing 16.5 rebounds per game.

1959: NCAA Championship Game

In 1959, Jerry West led the West Virginia Mountaineers to the NCAA championship game and earned the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player honor, despite losing in the championship.

1960: Olympic Gold Medal

In 1960, Jerry West co-captained the U.S. men's basketball team that won the gold medal at the Summer Olympics.

1960: NBA Draft and Lakers Debut

In 1960, Jerry West was drafted with the second overall pick by the Minneapolis Lakers, becoming the first draft pick of the relocated franchise, and his college coach, Fred Schaus, was hired to coach the Lakers.

1961: Improvement and Playoff Run

In 1961, Jerry West helped the Lakers improve their record to 36 wins, reaching the NBA playoffs where they eventually lost to the St. Louis Hawks in seven games.

1961: Stepping Up as Team Leader

In the 1961-62 NBA season, with Elgin Baylor's limited availability, Jerry West became the team leader for the Lakers, averaging 30.8 points per game and earning All-NBA First Team honors.

January 17, 1962: Career-High Scoring Game

On January 17, 1962, Jerry West scored a career-high 63 points in a 129–121 win over the New York Knicks.

1962: NBA Finals Loss to the Celtics

In 1962, Jerry West and the Lakers lost the NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics in a closely contested seven-game series.

1962: NBA All-Star and All-NBA First-Team Honors

In 1962-63 NBA season, Jerry West averaged 27.8 points, 7 rebounds and 5.6 assists and was again NBA All-Star and All-NBA First-Team.

1963: NBA Finals Loss to the Celtics

In 1963, Jerry West and the Lakers reached the NBA Finals again but lost to the Celtics in six games.

1963: Lakers' Scoring Leader

In 1963-64 NBA season, Jerry West became the Lakers' scoring leader for the first time, averaging 28.7 points per game.

1964: Playoff Loss to the Hawks

In 1964, The Lakers struggled during the entire season, winning only 42 games, and were beaten by the Hawks in five games during the first round of the 1964 NBA playoffs.

1964: Averaged career-high points

In 1964, during the 1964–65 NBA season, Jerry West averaged a then-career-high of 31.0 points.

1965: Averaged career-best points

During the 1965-66 NBA season, West averaged a career-best 31.3 points.

1965: Took over leading role due to Baylor's injury

In 1965, during the 1964-65 NBA playoffs, after Baylor's injury, West scored 49 points and willed the Lakers to win against the Baltimore Bullets. He averaged 46.3 points per game, an NBA record.

1966: Played only 66 games due to injury

In 1966, during the 1966–67 NBA season, Jerry West played only 66 regular season games due to injury.

1967: Swept in the first round of the NBA playoffs

In 1967, during the 1966–67 NBA season, the Lakers had a disappointing season, winning only 36 games and getting swept by the San Francisco Warriors in the first round of the 1967 NBA playoffs.

July 9, 1968: Lakers trade for Wilt Chamberlain

On July 9, 1968, the Lakers traded for Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia 76ers, sending Archie Clark, Darrall Imhoff, and Jerry Chambers to Philadelphia. This trade impacted team dynamics and chemistry.

1968: Gail Goodrich traded away

In 1968, during the trade for Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia 76ers to Los Angeles, the Lakers lost Goodrich in the expansion draft to the Phoenix Suns.

1969: NBA Finals MVP Award

In 1969, Jerry West became the only player in NBA history to be named Finals MVP despite being on the losing team.

1970: Buzzer-Beating Shot in the NBA Finals

In 1970, Jerry West made a famous buzzer-beating 60-foot shot that tied game 3 of the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks, solidifying his reputation for clutch plays.

1970: Leads NBA in scoring average and makes incredible shot

In 1970, during the 1969-70 NBA season, West led the NBA in scoring average with 31.2 points per game. In game 3, West incredibly connected to a 60-foot shot that was later called one of the greatest moments ever by the NBA. However, he sprained his left hand in overtime, and the Knicks won 111–108.

1970: Reacquired Gail Goodrich

In 1970, during the 1970–71 NBA season, the Lakers reacquired Gail Goodrich, who came back from the Phoenix Suns after playing for the Lakers until 1968.

1971: Considered Retirement

Before the 1971–72 NBA season, Jerry West was smarting from his frequent injuries and losses and considered retirement.

1971: Injured Knee and lost in Western Conference Finals

In 1971, during the 1970–71 NBA season, Jerry West injured his knee and was out for the season; the short-handed Lakers lost the Western Conference finals in five games to the championship-bound Milwaukee Bucks.

1972: Took Over Team Captain Role

After deferring to Chamberlain previously, in 1972, West took on the role of team captain for the first time.

1972: Shift to Playmaking Guard

In 1972, Jerry West entered his 13th NBA year with the Lakers. While averaging 22.8 points per game, he transitioned primarily into a playmaking guard role as Gail Goodrich became the principal scorer.

1972: NBA All-Star MVP and Championship Win

In 1972, Jerry West was chosen as the NBA All-Star MVP and won the only title of his career.

1972: Named All-Star Game MVP

In 1972, during the 1971-72 NBA season, Jerry West was named All-Star, All-NBA and All-Defense First Teamer and voted 1972 All-Star Game MVP.

1973: Final Season and Contractual Frustration

The 1973 season marked Jerry West's last as a player, during which he averaged 20.3 points per game. Despite being selected for the All-Star Game, he faced contractual frustration with Jack Kent Cooke, leading to his retirement and a lawsuit for unpaid back wages.

1974: End of All-Defensive Team Selection Streak

In 1974, Jerry West's career ended, marking the end of his continuous selection to the All-Defensive Teams since their introduction in 1969.

1976: Became Coach of the Los Angeles Lakers

In 1976, Jack Kent Cooke asked West to coach and participate in player personnel decisions, leading to West becoming the coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

1977: Western Conference Finals as Coach

In 1977, as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jerry West led the team, featuring star center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, to the Western Conference finals.

1980: Induction into the Hall of Fame and NBA 35th Anniversary Team

In 1980, Jerry West was inducted into the Hall of Fame and named to the NBA 35th Anniversary Team.

1980: Lakers Championship

In 1980, as general manager of the Lakers, West helped to build the Showtime dynasty which brought a championship ring to Los Angeles.

1982: General Manager of the Lakers

In 1982, Jerry West became the general manager of the Lakers, succeeding Bill Sharman.

1985: Lakers Championship

In 1985, as general manager of the Lakers, West helped to build the Showtime dynasty which brought a championship ring to Los Angeles.

1987: Lakers Championship

In 1987, as general manager of the Lakers, West helped to build the Showtime dynasty which brought a championship ring to Los Angeles.

1988: Lakers Championship

In 1988, as general manager of the Lakers, West helped to build the Showtime dynasty which brought a championship ring to Los Angeles.

1996: Acquisition of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal

In 1996, Jerry West propelled the Lakers by trading Divac for the draft rights to Kobe Bryant and signing free agent center Shaquille O'Neal.

1996: NBA 50th Anniversary Team Selection

In 1996, Jerry West was named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

1999: Signing Phil Jackson as Coach

In 1999, Jerry West signed six-time NBA champion Phil Jackson as the coach for the Lakers.

2000: Sixth Championship as Lakers' Executive

At the end of the 1999–2000 season, Jerry West departed from the Lakers after winning his sixth championship as an executive, due to a power struggle with head coach Phil Jackson.

2001: Lakers NBA Championship Defense

In 2001, the Lakers defended their NBA championship as West laid down the foundation for their three-peat.

2002: General Manager of the Memphis Grizzlies

In 2002, Jerry West became general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies and helped the franchise win their first-ever playoff berths.

2002: Lakers NBA Championship Defense

In 2002, the Lakers defended their NBA championship as West laid down the foundation for their three-peat.

2004: NBA Executive of the Year Award as Grizzlies Manager

In 2004, Jerry West won the NBA Executive of the Year Award as a Grizzlies manager.

2007: Retirement as Grizzlies General Manager

In 2007, Jerry West retired as general manager of the Grizzlies, handing over duties to Chris Wallace.

May 19, 2011: Joined Golden State Warriors as Executive Board Member

On May 19, 2011, Jerry West joined the Golden State Warriors as an executive board member, reporting to new owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber and holding a minority ownership stake.

2015: NBA Title as Consultant with Golden State Warriors

In 2015, Jerry West won an NBA title as a consultant with the Golden State Warriors.

2015: Golden State Warriors win NBA Championship

In 2015, as part of Golden State's front office, the Warriors won their NBA championship.

2015: Warriors Championship

In 2015, the Warriors won their first championship in 40 years, marking the seventh championship earned by West as a team executive.

2016: Rivers Floated the idea of West joining the Clippers

During the 2016 season, Clippers coach Doc Rivers floated the idea of West joining the organization.

June 1, 2017: Expressed Interest in Returning to the Lakers

On June 1, 2017, Jerry West publicly stated he would have been interested in returning to the Lakers, but they hired Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka instead.