West, No. 44, played for the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team from 1960 to 1974. He was an All-Star every year of his career and led Los Angeles to the NBA Finals nine times.
Mountaineer Jerry West Unstoppable Against Louisville in NCAA Tournament
Date:
1959
Description:
West, left, flies past Louisville's John Turner during the 1959 NCAA Semi-Finals. The Mountaineers won this game 93-78, with 38 points scored by West alone.
Jerry West Playing for the East Bank High School Basketball Team, East Bank, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1952-1956
Description:
West was the team's starting small forward. He was named All-State from 1953–56, then All-American in 1956 when he was West Virginia Player of the Year, becoming the state's first high-school player to score more than 900 points in a season.
Jerry West Shoots during High School Basketball Game
Date:
ca. 19541956
Description:
West, who is mid-air and ready to shoot the ball, played for East Bank High School as the team's starting small forward. He was named All-State from 1954–56, then All-American in 1956 when he was West Virginia Player of the Year, becoming the state's first high-school player to score more than 900 points in a season.
Jerry West Poses in his East Bank High School Team Uniform, East Bank, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1952-1956
Description:
West played as the team's starting small forward. He was named All-State from 1953–56, then All-American in 1956 when he was West Virginia Player of the Year, becoming the state's first high-school player to score more than 900 points in a season.
Jerry West and Teammate Willie Akers Pictured in West Virginia University Letter Sweaters, Morgantown, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1959
Description:
West, right and Akers played for West Virginia University from 1956-1960 leading theMountaineers to two Southern Conference and three NCAA tournament appearances which includes the 1959 Championship game.
Jerry West with West Virginia University Coach and Teammate, Morgantown, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1956-1960
Description:
West, right, is pictured with Willie Akers, left, and Coach Fred Schaus, center. West played for West Virginia University's basketball team from 1956-1960, before he was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers.
After fourteen years of playing of the team, West rejoined the Lakers as coach for three seasons between 1976 and 1982. He led the team to the playoffs each season.
East Bank High Basketball Team after Winning State Championship Game, East Bank, W. va.
Date:
1956/03
Description:
Jerry West, pictured holding the trophy, is outside of East Bank High School after leading his team to championship victory. West was the team's starting small forward. He was named All-State from 1953–56, then All-American in 1956 when he was West Virginia Player of the Year, becoming the state's first high-school player to score more than 900 points in a season.
Jerry West with High School Basketball Coach Roy Williams, East Bank, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1952-1956
Description:
West, right, is pictured with East Bank coach Roy Williams, who is stressing defense techniques. West was the team's starting small forward. He was named All-State from 1953–56, then All-American in 1956 when he was West Virginia Player of the Year, becoming the state's first high-school player to score more than 900 points in a season.
Crowd Gathers to Welcome Home High School State Champions, East Bank, W. Va.
Date:
1956/03/24
Description:
The crowd gathered on the East Bank High School lawn to welcome home the state champions. The State Champions Basketball Game was played at Mountaineer Field House in Morgantown, W. Va.
East Bank High School Basketball Team after State Championship Game, East Bank, W. Va.
Date:
1956/03/24
Description:
Jerry West, pictured on the left holding a trophy, is outside of East Bank High School after leading his team to championship victory. West was the team's starting small forward. He was named All-State from 1953–56, then All-American in 1956 when he was West Virginia Player of the Year, becoming the state's first high-school player to score more than 900 points in a season.
Jerry West with Fred Schaus and Willie Akers, Morgantown, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1956-1960
Description:
West, right, poses with West Virginia University Basketball Coach Fred Schaus, center, and teammate Willie Akers, left, while holding a basketball. West played for West Virginia University before he was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers.
Lakers Coach Jerry West during Game Against Golden State Warriors
Date:
ca. 1976-1982
Description:
West, wearing a patterned blazer, with Jack McCloskey, left, look out onto the court as the game progresses. After fourteen years of playing for the team, West rejoined the Lakers as coach for three seasons between 1976 and 1982. He led the team to the playoffs each season.
West Virginia University Basketball Team Freshmen, Morgantown, W. Va.
Date:
1957
Description:
Sitting, from left to right, is Manager Ronald Lewellen, Jerry Turner, Butch Goode, Jim Reiss, Jim Warren, Jay Jacobs, and Manager Jim Cook.Standing, from left to right, is Assistant Coach Jim Sottile, Jerry West, Jim Ritchie, Joe Posch, Pat Duffy, Willie Akers, and Coach Quentin Barnette.
The East Bank High School Basketball Team, East Bank, W. Va.
Date:
1956
Description:
Jerry West, No. 42, is pictured with his high school basketball team and Coach Roy Williams.West was the team's starting small forward. He was named All-State from 1953–56, then All-American in 1956 when he was West Virginia Player of the Year, becoming the state's first high-school player to score more than 900 points in a season.West also led his team to victory at the West Virginia State High School Basketball Championship in 1956, a first for the team.
Jack Chrest of East Bank High School Basketball Team, East Bank, W. Va.
Date:
1956
Description:
Chrest was a teammate of Jerry West during his high school basketball career.The 1956 team secured the first ever state championship title for East Bank High School's basketball team.
Ronnie Fischer of the East Bank High School Basketball Team, East Bank, W. Va.
Date:
1956
Description:
Fischer was a teammate of Jerry West during his high school basketball career.The 1956 team secured the first ever state championship title for East Bank High School's basketball team.
Roy Akers of the East Bank High School Basketball Team, East Bank, W. Va.
Date:
1956
Description:
Akers was a teammate of Jerry West during his high school basketball career.The 1956 team secured the first ever state championship title for East Bank High School's basketball team.
Jack Pauley of the East Bank High School Basketball Team, East Bank, W. Va.
Date:
1956
Description:
Pauley was a teammate of Jerry West during his high school basketball career.The 1956 team secured the first ever state championship title for East Bank High School's basketball team.
Gifford Basham of the East Bank High School Basketball Team, East Bank, W. Va.
Date:
1956
Description:
Basham was a teammate of Jerry West during his high school basketball career.The 1956 team secured the first ever state championship title for East Bank High School's basketball team.
An Injured Jerry West during a High School Basketball Tournament Game
Date:
1956
Description:
A referee and teammates come to West's aid during a high school basketball game.West was the East Bank High School's starting small forward. He was named All-State from 1953–56, then All-American in 1956 when he was West Virginia Player of the Year, becoming the state's first high-school player to score more than 900 points in a season.The 1956 team secured the first ever state championship title for East Bank High School's basketball team.
High School Basketball Players Fight for Rebound at Championship Game, Morgantown, W. Va.
Date:
1956
Description:
East Bank High School's Gary Stover, No. 17, and Morgantown's Jay Jacobs, No. 3, jump for a rebound during the championship game. Jerry West, not pictured, was also playing at this game as the team's starting small forward.West led East Bank High School to victory at this game, scoring 43 of the 71 points against Morgantown. The final score was 71-56. It was the first time East Bank High School won the state championship title.
East Bank High School Basketball Players at Practice, East Bank, W. Va.
Date:
1956
Description:
Leonord Greer, left, and Robert Buckley, right, are pictured during a drill at practice. The boys were teammates of Jerry West during his high school basketball career.The 1956 basketball team secured the first ever state championship title for the high school.
East Bank High School Basketball Team Portrait, East Bank, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1954-1955
Description:
Front row, from left to right: Jerry West, Robert Green, Jim Dolen, Rodney Buckley, and Jack Ellis.Second row, from left to right: Jack Landers, Larry Moore, Robert Buckley, Ronald Fisher, and Joe Chrest.Third row, from left to right: Coach Roy E. Williams, Lincoln Lincous, Garry Stover, and team manager Bill Molner.West was the team's starting small forward. He was named All-State from 1953–56, then All-American in 1956 when he was West Virginia Player of the Year, becoming the state's first high-school player to score more than 900 points in a season.
Jerry West Examined by High School Basketball Coach After Falling in Semi-Final Game
Date:
1956
Description:
Coach Roy Williams gives West a once-over after the star took a hard fall during the semi-final game in the state basketball tournament. West played for East Bank High School and led the team to victory, the first ever state championship title for East Bank High School's basketball team.West was the team's starting small forward. He was named All-State from 1953–56, then All-American in 1956 when he was West Virginia Player of the Year, becoming the state's first high-school player to score more than 900 points in a season.
Scene from the West Virginia State High School Basketball Championship Semi-Finals
Date:
1956
Description:
East Bank High School's Gary Stover, No. 17, drives in for a layup while Mullens High School's Gene Miller tries to halt the play. Also pictured is Mullens player Ronnie Cook and East Bank player Jack Landers, No. 11.Jerry West was also a player in this game and led the team to victory. The 1956 team secured the first ever state championship title for East Bank High School's basketball team.West was East Bank High School's starting small forward. He was named All-State from 1953–56, then All-American in 1956 when he was West Virginia Player of the Year, becoming the state's first high-school player to score more than 900 points in a season.
East Bank High School Championship Basketball Team, East Bank, W. Va.
Date:
1956
Description:
A portrait of the team, coached by Roy E. Williams. Jerry West is pictured in the center holding the trophy. The 1956 team secured the first ever state championship title for East Bank High School's basketball team.West was the team's starting small forward. He was named All-State from 1953–56, then All-American in 1956 when he was West Virginia Player of the Year, becoming the state's first high-school player to score more than 900 points in a season.
East Bank High School Basketball Team in the Locker Room during State Tournament
Date:
1956
Description:
Jerry West and teammates are pictured celebrating and drinking milk in a locker room with their coaches. The 1956 team secured the first ever state championship title for East Bank High School's basketball team.West was the team's starting small forward. He was named All-State from 1953–56, then All-American in 1956 when he was West Virginia Player of the Year, becoming the state's first high-school player to score more than 900 points in a season.
The All-Tournament Team of West Virginia State High School Championship
Date:
1956
Description:
Pictured from left to right is Willie Akers of Mullens High School, Mr. Hurt from Beckley High School, Jack Landers from East Bank High School, Jerry West from East Bank High School, Jay Jacobs from Morgantown High School, and Mr. Davis from Morgantown High School.West was East Bank High School's starting small forward. He was named All-State from 1953–56, then All-American in 1956 when he was West Virginia Player of the Year, becoming the state's first high-school player to score more than 900 points in a season.He team secured the first ever state championship title for East Bank High School's basketball team.
A Crowd Welcomes Back the State Champion High School Basketball Team, East Bank, W. Va.
Date:
1956
Description:
Jerry West, East Bank High School's small starting forward, helped secure the first ever state championship title for East Bank High School's basketball team.
Crowd Greets the East Bank High School Basketball Champions, East Bank, W. Va.
Date:
1956
Description:
Coach Roy E. Williams stands behind a microphone to address the crowd. Jerry West led the East Bank High School basketball team to secure its first ever state championship title.West was the team's small starting forward. He was named All-State from 1953–56, then All-American in 1956 when he was West Virginia Player of the Year, becoming the state's first high-school player to score more than 900 points in a season.
Jerry West Making Shot that Gave Him New State High School Scoring Record
Date:
1956
Description:
With this shot, West (No. 12) makes the shot that scores him a new state high school record of 860 points in a season with only 6:50 left in the game. Also on the court is Bob Green (No. 20) of East Bank and Bob Short (No. 24) of Mullens.West was East Bank High School's small starting forward. He was named All-State from 1953–56, then All-American in 1956 when he was West Virginia Player of the Year, becoming the state's first high-school player to score more than 900 points in a season.In 1956, West led his team to secure its first ever state championship title.
West is pictured throwing a basketball through the basket nonchalantly. He was East Bank High School's small starting forward.West was named All-State from 1953–56, then All-American in 1956 when he was West Virginia Player of the Year, becoming the state's first high-school player to score more than 900 points in a season
Jerry West and Los Angeles Lakers in United Airlines Advertisement, Los Angeles, Ca.
Date:
ca. 1970-1971
Description:
West (No. 44) played for the Los Angeles Lakers after his basketball career at West Virginia University from 1960 to 1974. The team is pictured here in an advertisement for United Airline.Pictured on the bottom row, from left to right, is John Tresvant, Fred Hetzel, Wilt Chamberlain, General Manager Fred Schaus, Owner Jack Kent Cooke, Coach Joe Mullaney, Rick Roberson, Happy Hairston, and Keith Erickson.In the top row, from left to right, is Trainer Frank O'Neill, Willie McCarter, Jerry West, Jim McMillian, Elgin Baylor, Pat Riley, Earnest Killum, and Gail Goodrich.
Jerry West Holds the Basketball State Championship Trophy, East Bank, W. Va.
Date:
1956
Description:
West played as East Bank High School's small starting forward. He led his team to secure its first ever state championship title.He was named All-State from 1953–56, then All-American in 1956 when he was West Virginia Player of the Year, becoming the state's first high-school player to score more than 900 points in a season.
Portrait of Sergeant David L. West of Chelyan, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1951
Description:
Sgt. David West was basketball star Jerry West's older brother. He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service after dragging a fellow soldier from a rice paddy after he was hit. David died in the Korean War at age 22 when Jerry was 12.