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Enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980 along with Jerry Lucas and Oscar Robertson .Played for the National Basketball Association's (NBA) Los Angeles Lakers, 1960-61 thru 1973-74.Professional basketball player.The NBA logo is based on a silhouette image of Jerry West.Consultant, Los Angeles Lakers (1979-80 through 1981-82)Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations, Lakers, (1994-95 to 2000)General Manager, Lakers (1982-83 through 1993-94)Guided the Lakers from a managerial/consultant position to NBA championships in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001 and 2002Head coach, Los Angeles Lakers (1976-77 to 1978-79)NBA Executive of the Year (1994-95)Guided West Virginia University to the 1959 NCAA national championship game, where WVU lost to the UC (University of California) Golden Bears by one pointPlayed high school basketball for the East Bank High School Pioneers (in East Bank, WV)A terrific shooter, he made a 60-foot shot as time expired to send game 3 of 1970 NBA Finals vs. Knicks into overtime.All-NBA First Team 10 times (1962-67, 1970-73). All-NBA Second Team twice (1968-69). NBA All-Defensive First Team four times (1970-73). NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1969).All-Southern Conference (1958-60). The Sporting News All-America First Team (1959-60). All-American Second Team (1958). Team MVP (1959-60). NCAA tournament Most Outstanding Player Award (1959).Compiled a 145-101 (.589) record during his three seasons as coach.Fourteen-time NBA All-Star (1961-74). NBA All-Star MVP (1972). NBA Finals MVP (1969).He hated his original nickname "Zeke from Cabin Creek."Holds single-season record for most free throws made-840 (1966). Holds single-series playoff record for highest points-per-game average-46.3 against Baltimore (1965). Holds record for highest point average in playoffs for one season-40.6 in 11 games (1965).Member of the NBA 35th Anniversary Team (1980) and 50th Anniversary Team (1996).Played for the gold medal U.S. Olympic Team in 1960.Coached by Fred Schaus at West Virginia University, then with the Los Angeles Lakers.