Jerry West, basketball icon and NBA Mr. Logo, dies at 86

At this Wednesday morningOn Friday (12), former NBA player, executive and coach Jerry West, aged 86, passed away. Jerry West was honored in two special ways, honored in two Hall of Fame tributes, in addition to having his silhouette immortalized in the NBA logo, which was inspired by him. His death was of natural causes, and at the time he was accompanied by his wife, Karen.

NBA symbol

In an official note, the Los Angeles Clippers announced his death “Jerry West, the personification of basketball excellence and friend to all who knew him, passed away peacefully this morning at the age of 86. His wife, Karen, was at his side.”

The former player gained fame for his time with the Lakers, where he remained for 14 seasons. He won the NBA title in 1972, being the team's first title after moving to California, Already in 1960, representing the American team, West also won the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Rome.

_{West's figure served as inspiration for the NBA logo (Photo: reproduction/Sportsbuzz/CNN)}

Even after leaving the court as a player, he start his career as a coach and then became an executive at the Los Angeles Lakers from 1976 to 2000. As an executive, he managed to win five titles for the Californian franchise.

basketball legend

In addition to the Lakers, Jerry also worked How Grizzlies, Warriors and Clippers, the latter being the team where he continues to this day. The former player is the onlynico player in history of the NBA to have been defeated in a final and still win the award in MPV, in 1969.

Jerry West earned the nickname Mr. Logo in 1969, when the NBA announced that his silhouette would become part of the league's logo. The brand, which remains printed to this day, pays homage to his contribution to the sport. In 2000, West won his sixth championship as an executive with the Lakers. Then, in 2015 and 2017, he won his second championship as manager of the Warriors. Already in 2017 he became a consultant for the Clippers.

Featured photo: Jerry West dies at age 86 this Wednesday (12) (reproduction/by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images Embed)