Jerry West's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Jerry West. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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

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.

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: 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.

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: 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.

1964: West Averaged Career-High Points

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

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: 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.

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: 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: 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.

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: 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.

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.

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: NBA 50th Anniversary Team Selection

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

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: 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.

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.

2011: Holds WVU All-Time Records

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

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.

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.

2021: NBA 75th Anniversary Team Selection

In 2021, Jerry West was selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

2022: Ranked 14th Greatest Player

In 2022, The Athletic ranked Jerry West as the 14th greatest player in NBA history to commemorate the NBA's 75th Anniversary.

2024: Hall of Fame Induction as Contributor

In 2024, Jerry West was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor, honoring his tenure as a general manager and consultant.

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