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- Family to honor Jerry West’s wishes with private memorial (newsbreak.com)
There will not be a public ceremony to commemorate the life of basketball legend and executive Jerry West, who has been enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
His family announced their decision to keep mourning private in a statement distributed by the LA Clippers on Thursday.
At the time of his death on June 12, at 86 years old, West was serving as a consulting executive for the Clippers.
West originated from the small town of Chelyan in West Virginia and became a standout player at West Virginia University between 1957 and 1960. He was then selected as the second overall draft pick by the Minneapolis Lakers, who later moved to Los Angeles. Over his career, West was named an All-Star 14 times and was part of the Lakers’ 1972 NBA championship-winning team.
His family has suggested that those wishing to pay tribute to West could consider donating to four specific funds at West Virginia, which are in his and his wife’s names and support academic and athletic scholarships.
The family’s statement, reflecting on West’s deep connection to West Virginia, was signed by his widow, Karen, his five sons—David, Michael, Mark, Ryan, and Jonnie—their spouses, and his grandchildren.
West’s contributions to basketball have earned him three inductions into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, both as a player and an executive, and his silhouette famously inspired the NBA logo.
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- Family to honor Jerry West’s wishes with private memorial (newsbreak.com)