Table of Contents
- Jerry West is one of the best basketball players of all time
- The West Virginia native is the man from whom the famous NBA logo came from
- He passed away on June 12, 2024, after batting atrial fibrillation (AFib) for more than 30 years
What was Jerry West’s net worth at the time of his death? Read on our Jerry West biography to find every info you need to know about the basketball great.
For starters, Jerry West is the man from whom the famous NBA logo came from. The West Virginia native was among the top stars in the NBA during his days and is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He spent most of his career days playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, and won the NBA Championship and NBA Finals MVP, among other trophies.
West, who was a gold medal winner with team USA at the 1960 Summer Olympics, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019. With that said, let’s go to the next part of Jerry West biography.
Jerry West is the man on the NBA logo. Photo/ CityNews Toronto.
Jerry West Biography
| Full name | Jerry Alan West |
| Date of birth | May 28, 1938 |
| Place of birth | Chelyan, West Virginia, United States |
| Date of death | June 12, 2024 |
| Height | 1.91 m |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Basketball |
| Source of wealth | Basketball |
| Marital status | Married |
Earnings History
Despite being a household name in the NBA, there’s no much information available about the legend’s salary. However, we believe he was a top earner considering he was one of the best players at the peak of his career. After ending his playing career, he continued to earn working as a coach and executive.
Did Jerry West earn royalties for the NBA logo? This is a question that many fans often asked. While many sources indicate that the former Lakers point guard is the man whose silhouette is the basis of the NBA logo, the league has completely refused to acknowledge West as the figure on the logo picture. As a result, West never got any royalties from the NBA.
Personal Life
This is the part of Jerry West biography that talks about his life outside basketball and cause of death. To begin with, West was born on June 12, 2024, in Chelyan, West Virginia, United States. His father, Howard Stewart West, worked as a coal mine electrician while his mother Cecil Sue West was a housewife.
Jerry West was abused by his father growing up and sometimes slept with a loaded shotgun for protection from his father. He was the second last born child in a family of six children.
West was married twice in his life. He married his college sweetheart Martha Jane Kane in 1960 and they were blessed with three children before divorcing in 1976. Two years later, he married his second wife Kristine “Karen” Bua, with whom he had two sons.
Jerry West passed away on June 12, 2024, after batting atrial fibrillation (AFib) for more than 30 years.
Career
West’s star in basketball shone when he was still in high school. After graduating from East Bank High School in 1956, over 60 universities showed interest in him. However, he chose West Virginia University (WVU) where he did his collegiate career.
After co-captaining the U.S. men’s basketball team that won gold at the 1960 Summer Olympics, West signed with the Los Angeles Lakers that same year. The talented point guard quickly became a household name in the NBA and played a significant role in the Lakers winning the NBA Championship in 1972.
Jerry West biography. Photo/ NBA.
West spent his entire career playing for the Lakers and his number 44 jersey is retired by the club. Following his retirement, he picked the role of executive at the club.
Luxury Collection
Jerry West a millionaire at the time of his death. According to Celebrity Net Worth, the point guard had a net worth of $50 million at the time of his death. West amassed the big fortune from his playing and coaching career. He also served as an executive, a job that paid him well.
Over the course of his life, West acquired several homes in Ladera Heights, Bay Area, La Quinta, Memphis and Hayward. We couldn’t find details about his car collection.
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FAQs
Why did Jerry West quit the Lakers?
West told the LA Times that he felt underappreciated by leadership the club’s leadership.
How many rings did Jerry West have as a player?
He won a total of 9 Total NBA Championships.
What illness did Jerry West have?
West battled atrial fibrillation (AFib) for over 30 years.
How much money did Jerry West make?
West was worth $50 million at the time of his death.
