It was an emotional moment as Jonnie West, son of West Virginia and NBA legend Jerry West, accepted his late father’s record-breaking third Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame jacket.
Jerry was previously inducted as a player and member of the 1960 USA men’s basketball Olympic team that won gold in Rome. Now, West has been officially enshrined a third time for his work in the front office, most notably as the GM for the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won six rings as an executive after playing his entire career there, winning a ring of his own as a player.
Unfortunately, the West Virginia native and one of the best to ever sport the old gold and blue passed away on June 12. The news was met by many West Virginians and those in the world of basketball and sports in general who were grieving.
Jonnie, a former WVU guard, current Senior Director of Pro Player Personnel, and West’s youngest son, shared heartfelt words about his father as he graciously accepted his HOF jacket.
Watch below:
