History of Jerry West in Timeline

Jerry West, nicknamed "the Logo" due to his silhouette inspiring the NBA logo, was a celebrated American basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers and later a successful NBA executive. Known as "Mr. Clutch" for his game-winning shots, including a memorable 60-footer in the 1970 NBA Finals, West is considered one of basketball's all-time greats. He also earned the moniker "Mr. Outside" for his perimeter play and "Zeke from Cabin Creek" referencing his West Virginia roots.

Sections (6)

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

May 28, 1938: Jerry West's Birth

On May 28, 1938, Jerry Alan West was born. He would later become a celebrated American basketball player and executive.

Others born on this day/year

1951: Brother's Death in Korean War

In 1951, Jerry West's older brother, David, was killed in action in the Korean War, leading to a period of introversion for West.

1952: Attended East Bank High School

In 1952, Jerry West began attending East Bank High School in East Bank, West Virginia.

1953: Increased Height and Freshman Team Captain

During the summer of 1953, Jerry West grew to 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) and became the captain of the freshman team.

1955: Mountaineer Boys State Attendance

In 1955, Jerry West attended the session of Mountaineer Boys State.

1956: Graduation from East Bank High School and Enrollment in WVU

In 1956, Jerry West graduated from East Bank High School and chose to attend West Virginia University (WVU).

1956: All-American and Player of the Year

In 1956, Jerry West was named All-American and West Virginia Player of the Year.

1958: Exceptional Performance and Awards

In 1958, during his junior year, Jerry West achieved remarkable statistics, was named Most Outstanding Player of that year's Final Four, and received further awards, like All-America, Southern Conference Tournament MVP and Southern Conference Player of the Year and Athlete of the Year. He also demonstrated his tenacity for the game in a match against the Kentucky Wildcats.

1959: NCAA Championship Game Appearance

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

1959: Career Highs in Collegiate Season

In 1959, during his final collegiate season, Jerry West enjoyed several career highs, such as scoring 29.3 points per game, a 134 season-assists, 16.5 rebounds per game, and a shooting average of 50.4% from the field, 76.6% from the free throw line.

April 1960: Married Martha Jane Kane

In April 1960, Jerry West married his college sweetheart Martha Jane Kane in Morgantown.

1960: Olympic Gold Medal with Oscar Robertson

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

1960: Olympic Gold Medal

In 1960, Jerry West co-captained the U.S. Olympic gold medal team.

1960: NBA Draft and Lakers Debut

In 1960, Jerry West was drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers with the second overall pick and became the first draft pick of the relocated franchise in Los Angeles.

1960: Election to Basketball Hall of Fame as a Member of U.S. Olympic Team

In 1960, Jerry West was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the U.S. Olympic team.

1961: Improved Lakers Performance and Playoff Appearance

In 1961, Jerry West helped the Lakers improve to 36 wins and reach the NBA playoffs.

1961: Assuming Team Leadership

In 1961, with Elgin Baylor's limited availability, Jerry West took over as team leader and established himself as the main Lakers scorer.

January 17, 1962: Career-High 63 Points

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 Celtics

In 1962, Jerry West and the Lakers reached the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, ultimately losing in a close game 7.

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

In 1962, Jerry West was recognized as an NBA All-Star and earned All-NBA First-Team honors.

1963: Lakers' Scoring Leader

In 1963, Jerry West became the Lakers' scoring leader for the first time, surpassing Elgin Baylor.

1963: NBA Finals Loss

In 1963, the Lakers, with Jerry West, reached the NBA Finals but were defeated by the Celtics in six games.

1964: West Averaged Career-High Points

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

1964: Playoff Loss to the Hawks

In 1964, after struggling during the regular season, the Lakers were beaten by the Hawks in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

1965: West Achieves Career-Best Stats

During the 1965 NBA season, Jerry West averaged a career-best of 31.3 points, along with 7.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game. He also set an NBA record with 840 free throws.

1965: West Leads Lakers in Playoffs and NBA Finals

In 1965, with Baylor injured, West led the Lakers to victory over the Bullets in the playoffs with exceptional performances, including averaging 46.3 points per game, an NBA record. He then led the Lakers to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Celtics 4-1, despite West's high scoring average of 40.6 points per game in the playoffs.

1966: West's Season Affected by Injury

During the 1966 NBA season, Jerry West played only 66 regular season games due to injury, which slightly reduced his averages to 28 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game.

1966: Lakers Lose NBA Finals to Celtics

In 1966, the Lakers, despite West's strong performance, lost to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. In the final game, West and Baylor struggled with their shooting, leading to a narrow loss for the Lakers.

1967: Lakers Disappoint in Playoffs

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

July 9, 1968: Lakers Acquire 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 concerned coach Van Breda Kolff, who worried about the team's guard positions.

1968: Goodrich Played for Lakers Until 1968

Before the 1970-71 NBA season, Gail Goodrich played for the Lakers until 1968.

1968: Lakers Lose to Celtics in NBA Finals

In the 1968 NBA playoffs, the Lakers faced the Celtics in the NBA Finals. Despite West's efforts, including scoring 38 points in a game 4 win and playing injured in game 5 where he scored 35 points, the Lakers lost the series.

1969: Finals MVP on Losing Team

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

1969: West Leads Lakers to Finals

In 1969, Jerry West led the Lakers to the NBA Finals, facing the Boston Celtics. Despite scoring 53 points in game 1, a hamstring injury hampered his performance later in the series, contributing to their loss.

1969: West Wins Finals MVP Despite Loss

In 1969, despite Jerry West's outstanding performance, including a triple-double in game 7, the Lakers lost to the Celtics in the NBA Finals. West became the only player to win the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award from the losing team.

1969: NBA Logo Design

In 1969, the NBA logo, designed by Alan Siegel, was created incorporating a silhouette based on a photograph of Jerry West.

1969: All-Defensive Team Selection

In 1969, when the All-Defensive Teams were introduced, Jerry West made every one of them until his career ended.

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.

1970: Lakers Reacquire Gail Goodrich

In 1970, the Lakers reacquired Gail Goodrich from the Phoenix Suns. West averaged 26.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 9.5 assists during the season.

1970: West Leads NBA in Scoring

In 1970, with Chamberlain injured, West led the NBA in scoring average with 31.2 points per game. He also played a pivotal role in the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks, where his 60-foot shot tied game 3, although the Lakers eventually lost the series.

1971: West Considers Retirement

Before the 1971 NBA season, Jerry West contemplated retirement due to frequent injuries and losses.

1971: West Injured, Lakers Lose in Playoffs

In 1971, after Elgin Baylor's career-ending injury, Jerry West suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for the season. Consequently, the Lakers, short-handed, lost the Western Conference finals to the Milwaukee Bucks.

1972: "Jerry West Night"

Even before winning his sole championship in 1972, the Lakers held a "Jerry West Night", where Bill Russell called him a true champion.

1972: Deferring to Chamberlain as Team Captain

In 1972, Jerry West deferred the role of team captain to Wilt Chamberlain.

1972: Shift to Playmaking Guard

In 1972, Jerry West transitioned to primarily being a playmaking guard, with Gail Goodrich taking over as the principal scorer for the Lakers.

1972: NBA All-Star MVP and Championship Title

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

1972: West Wins First NBA Championship

In 1972, the Lakers, led by West, defeated the Chicago Bulls and the Milwaukee Bucks in the playoffs to reach the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks. Despite a shooting slump, West scored 23 points in game 5 to help the Lakers win the game and secure his first-ever NBA championship.

1972: Lakers Achieve Record-Breaking Season

In 1972, under coach Bill Sharman, the Lakers achieved a record-breaking 69 wins in the regular season, including a 33-game win streak. West contributed with 25.8 points and led the league with 9.7 assists per game, earning several accolades, including All-Star Game MVP.

1973: 1973 NBA Finals Appearance

In the 1973 NBA Finals against the New York Knicks, the Lakers, with West playing through hamstring strains, lost the series despite Chamberlain's efforts.

1973: Final NBA Season and Groin Injury

In the 1973-74 NBA season, West played his final year as a player, averaging 20.3 points per game. Despite a strained groin muscle that limited him to 31 games, he earned his final All-Star Game selection.

1974: End of NBA Career

Jerry West's NBA career ended in 1974, concluding his consistent selection to the All-Defensive Teams since their introduction in 1969.

1976: Became Coach of the Lakers

In 1976, Jerry West became the coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, after being asked by owner Jack Kent Cooke.

1976: Divorced Martha Jane Kane

In 1976, Jerry West divorced his first wife, Martha Jane Kane.

1977: Western Conference Finals

In 1977, Jerry West coached the Lakers with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to reach the Western Conference Finals.

1978: Married Kristine "Karen" Bua

In 1978, Jerry West married his second wife, Kristine "Karen" Bua.

1979: Elected into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

In 1979, Jerry West was elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

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

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

1980: Lakers Championship Ring

In 1980, as general manager, Jerry West helped bring a championship ring to the Los Angeles Lakers.

1982: Lakers General Manager Appointment

Before the 1982–83 NBA season, Jerry West was named general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers.

1982: General Manager of the Lakers

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

1983: Lakers Retired Number 44 Jersey

In 1983, the Lakers retired Jerry West's No. 44 jersey.

1985: Lakers Championship Ring

In 1985, as general manager, Jerry West helped bring a championship ring to the Los Angeles Lakers.

1987: Lakers Championship Ring

In 1987, as general manager, Jerry West helped bring a championship ring to the Los Angeles Lakers.

1988: Lakers Championship Ring

In 1988, as general manager, Jerry West helped bring a championship ring to the Los Angeles Lakers.

1990: Inducted into National High School Hall of Fame

In 1990, Jerry West was inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame.

1995: Executive of the Year Award

In 1995, Jerry West received his first Executive of the Year Award for turning the Lakers around.

1995: NBA Executive of the Year Award (Lakers)

In 1995, Jerry West won the NBA Executive of the Year Award as a Lakers manager.

1996: Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal

In 1996, Jerry West traded for the draft rights to Kobe Bryant and signed 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: Phil Jackson Hired

In 1999, Jerry West signed Phil Jackson as coach of the Lakers.

1999: Closure of West Bank High School

In 1999, West Bank High School, formerly East Bank High School, which changed its name annually on March 24 to honor Jerry West, closed down.

2000: Sixth Championship as Lakers Executive

At the end of the 1999-2000 season, Jerry West won his sixth championship as a Lakers executive.

2000: "Jerry West Boulevard" Dedicated

In the summer of 2000, the city of Morgantown, West Virginia, and West Virginia Governor Cecil Underwood, dedicated the road outside of the West Virginia University Coliseum as "Jerry West Boulevard".

2001: Lakers Defend NBA Championship

In 2001, the Lakers defended their NBA Championship. West had laid down the foundation of the Lakers' three-peat.

2002: Grizzlies General Manager Appointment

In 2002, Jerry West became general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies.

2002: General Manager of the Memphis Grizzlies

In 2002, Jerry West became the general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies.

2002: Lakers Defend NBA Championship

In 2002, the Lakers defended their NBA Championship. West had laid down the foundation of the Lakers' three-peat.

2004: Executive of the Year Award

In 2004, Jerry West won his second NBA Executive of the Year Award.

2004: NBA Executive of the Year Award (Grizzlies)

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

November 26, 2005: Number 44 Retired by West Virginia University

On November 26, 2005, Jerry West's number 44 became the first basketball number to be retired by West Virginia University.

February 17, 2007: Bronze Statue Installed at WVU Coliseum

On February 17, 2007, a bronze statue created by sculptor Jamie Lester was installed outside of the WVU Coliseum to honor Jerry West.

2007: Retirement from the Grizzlies

In 2007, Jerry West retired as general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies.

March 2008: Third Greatest Shooting Guard

In March 2008, ESPN voted Jerry West the third greatest shooting guard of all time.

2010: Elected to Basketball Hall of Fame

In 2010, Jerry West was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the 1960 U.S. Olympic team.

2010: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Induction

In 2010, the 1960 U.S. Olympic gold medal team, of which Jerry West was a member, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

February 17, 2011: Statue Unveiled at Staples Center

On February 17, 2011, a statue of Jerry West was unveiled outside Staples Center at the Star Plaza in Los Angeles, California.

May 19, 2011: Joined Golden State Warriors

On May 19, 2011, Jerry West joined the Golden State Warriors as an executive board member.

2011: Holds WVU All-Time Records

As of 2011, Jerry West holds 12 WVU all-time records.

2011: West by West Memoir

In 2011, Jerry West and Jonathan Coleman wrote a memoir entitled "West by West: My Charmed, Tormented Life", which became a New York Times bestseller.

West by West: My Charmed, Tormented Life

Check it on Amazon

2015: NBA Title as Warriors Consultant

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

2015: Golden State Warriors Win Championship

In 2015, as a member of Golden State's front office, Jerry West won the title when the Warriors won the championship.

2015: Warriors Championship

In 2015, the Golden State Warriors won their first championship in 40 years, marking the seventh championship for West as an executive.

2016: Clippers Coach Floated Idea

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

June 1, 2017: Expressed Interest in Returning to Lakers

On June 1, 2017, Jerry West publicly stated that he would have been interested in returning to the Lakers.

June 14, 2017: Joined Los Angeles Clippers

On June 14, 2017, Jerry West announced he would join the Los Angeles Clippers as an executive board member and consultant.

2017: Eighth Championship as Executive

In 2017, Jerry West earned his eighth championship while serving as a team executive with the Golden State Warriors.

2017: Another NBA Title as Warriors Consultant

In 2017, Jerry West won another NBA title as a consultant with the Golden State Warriors.

2017: Golden State Warriors Win Championship

In 2017, as a member of Golden State's front office, Jerry West won the title when the Warriors won the championship.

September 5, 2019: Presidential Medal of Freedom

On September 5, 2019, Jerry West received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump.

2019: Jonnie West's Marriage to Michelle Wie

In 2019, Jerry West's son, Jonnie West, married professional golfer Michelle Wie.

December 17, 2020: NBA Investigation

On December 17, 2020, Jerry West and the Los Angeles Clippers were under investigation by the NBA, following a lawsuit regarding the recruitment of Kawhi Leonard.