Former basketball player Jerry West, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame and served as inspiration for the NBA logo, died Wednesday morning at the age of 86, the Clippers confirmed from Los Angeles.
West, who was nicknamed “Mr. Clutch” because of his many late-game exploits as a player, was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a player in 1980, and again as a member of the 1960 American Olympic team, in 2010. He will be inducted for the third time later this year, as a builder.
West “personified basketball excellence and the friend everyone knew,” the Clippers said in the press release announcing his death. West’s wife, Karen, was at his bedside when he died, the Clippers said.
He was selected 14 times to the All-Star Game, 12 times to the NBA All-Star team, helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers to the championship in 1972, was named MVP of the Finals Series of the NBA even though his team lost in 1969 and was selected to the all-star team marking the league’s 75th anniversary.
West was the general manager of eight championship-winning Lakers and helped build the legendary “Showtime” dynasty. He also held executive positions with the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors and Clippers.
