Today, the silhouette behind the NBA’s iconic logo took his last breath with his wife Karen by his side. The Los Angeles Clippers, home to Jerry West for 14 years of his NBA career announced the news. Though it mentioned the 14X All-Star passed away peacefully at his LA home, the cause of death remained unmentioned. Although no alarming condition had been reported of late, West was no void of battles from an early age.

Born on May 28, 1938, Jerry West grew up poor in West Virginia. The atmosphere only escalated with his brother’s death in the Korean War, forcing him to grow ‘small and weak,’ void of love. The intensity of the situation was such that doctors had to inject him with vitamins and prevent him from playing sports. But how did he manage to cope with his health requirements?

Jerry West finds solace in basketball

Growing up in a difficult environment, Jerry West has revealed, he battled depression lifelong. But his His then-found interest in basketball helped him find solace and match the levels of energy requirements from these vitamin injections. “My chase began in Chelyan, West Virginia, where I strung a wire basket with no net to the side of a bridge,” West writes in his memoir, West by West: My Charmed, Tormented Life. “If your shot didn’t go in, the ball rolled down a long bank and you would be chasing it forever. So, you better make it.”

Determined, Jerry soon grew six feet tall and became co-captain of his high school team. Within months, he established himself as one of the finest players of his generation, starting an unmatched basketball legacy. In 1959-60, he achieved success in the finals of his collegiate season, averaging 29.3 points per game and 16.5 rebounds per game. As of 2011, he held 12 all-time records and a gold medal from the 1960 Summer Olympic Games.

West, also known as the inspiration behind the NBA’s logo, was one of the league’s early superstars. He was an NBA champion, a 14-time NBA All-Star, and a legend respected by almost everyone across the NBA. Notably, his average of 46.3 points per game in a playoff series is recorded as the highest PPG average in historical records. Despite all this evident potential, West’s journey to excellence wasn’t smooth.

Trails and triumphs on and off the court

West entered the league lacking great size, dribbling ability, and high strength. But he did have a tolerance for pain that helped him endure multiple career-threatening injuries. Notably, he broke his nose more than nine times while playing in the NBA. One incident that captivated the audience was when West had to be helped off the court.

Despite the many struggles, West remained a reigning figure in the basketball world. His influence was such that even after the Lakers’ loss to the Celtics in the 1969 NBA Finals, John Havlicek himself came to West and shared an uncommon comment, “Jerry, I love you.” Not only this, but West was the only player from the losing team to be awarded an MVP title. Despite retiring in 1974, West continued to play crucial roles in the NBA.

Interestingly, he was instrumental in bringing talents like Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant to the world’s winningest franchise. West resigned from the Lakers in 2000 due to intense pressure that affected his health. Since then, he never faced any fatal health issues. But his health reports aren’t shared yet and the cause of death is unknown.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.