“We can only hope there is someone we meet during a crucial time in our lives that will change you in ways you could dream about. Jerry was that person for me,” Miami Heat President Pat Riley once said, reflecting on his time with West. This sentiment captures the profound impact West had on those around him, as a player, mentor, and executive. And at the age of 86, this basketball genius has left a legacy that few can match.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver summed it up well when he called West “one of the greatest executives in sports history.” Known as “Mr. Clutch” for his on-court heroics, West was first inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980 as a player. A second induction came in 2010, this time as a member of the legendary 1960 U.S. Olympic team that brought home gold. Later this year, West will be honored again, this time as a contributor, solidifying his status as a 3x Hall of Famer—a feat that only few can match.

Jerry West’s basketball journey

Born in West Virginia in 1938, West’s basketball journey began long before his NBA days. He was a star at West Virginia University, where he led his team to the 1959 National Championship Game and earned the Final Four Most Outstanding Player award. Although they didn’t win the title, West’s performance caught the eye of NBA scouts, leading the Lakers to draft him No. 2 overall in 1960, right behind fellow legend Oscar Robertson.

Alongside Elgin Baylor, West became one of the first superstars of the Los Angeles Lakers. He reached the All-Star Game in every one of his 14 seasons and took the Lakers to the Finals nine times, even winning Finals MVP in 1969 despite losing to the Celtics. His legacy, however, is not just about wins and losses—it’s about the sheer excellence he brought to every game.

In 1972, West finally claimed his elusive first NBA championship, helping the Lakers to an incredible 33-game winning streak. Though he retired as a player in 1974, his love for the game and his contributions continued, marking him not just as a player, but as a basketball mastermind.

A contributor to the game

Jerry West wasn’t just a star on the court; he was a mastermind off it. He became the first person in NBA history to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and a contributor. His transition into the executive world began when he took over as the Lakers’ coach in 1976. Though Jerry had a solid record of 145-101 in his three seasons, the Lakers fell short of the Finals.

But his true calling came in 1979 when he joined the front office as a scout, later becoming the general manager in 1982. From there, he crafted a legacy that Adam Silver would call the work of “one of the greatest executives in sports history.” Under West’s leadership, the Lakers reached the NBA Finals 12 times between 1980 and 2002, winning six championships.

Among his many genius moves were drafting James Worthy and hiring legendary coach Phil Jackson. But perhaps the most famous was his 1996 trade that sent Vlade Divac to the Hornets for the rights to Kobe Bryant. This cleared cap space for the Lakers to sign Shaquille O’Neal, creating a duo that would dominate the league. West’s vision built a championship foundation, even after his departure.

West didn’t stop with the Lakers. In 2002, he took on a new challenge with the Memphis Grizzlies, looking to build a winner from scratch. Before West arrived, the Grizzlies had never made the playoffs. Under his guidance, they reached the postseason three times in five years, transforming a struggling franchise into a respectable contender.

West continued to influence the NBA even after leaving Memphis. He joined the Golden State Warriors in 2011 as an executive board member, helping them break a 40-year title drought in 2015. His sharp instincts led him to resist trading Klay Thompson for Kevin Love—a move that set the foundation for the Warriors’ dynasty. He also played a crucial role in recruiting Kevin Durant in 2016, a decision that led to two more championships.

West’s final chapter came with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he joined as an advisor in 2017. His influence helped the Clippers land superstar Kawhi Leonard, adding yet another feather to his cap. Even in his later years, Jerry West remained a towering figure in basketball, continuing to shape the game he loved until his final days.