The NBA is paying tribute to the legendary Jerry West during this year’s Summer League, with a special courtside seat reserved in his honor. West, a basketball icon who played for the Los Angeles Lakers and served as the league’s longtime face, passed away last month at the age of 86.
At the Thomas & Mack Arena in Las Vegas, a seat adorned with a T-shirt featuring West’s image and the title “The soul of the summer league” has been set aside. The shirt also pays homage to West’s favorite summer league indulgence, ice cream from Dairy Queen. West was a familiar presence at the Summer League due to his roles as an NBA executive for various teams.
The Summer League kicked off with a heartfelt video tribute to West, accompanied by reflections on his impactful life and legacy in professional basketball.
“Jerry West, despite all his achievements and fame, never stopped seeking improvement,” remarked ESPN and Sacramento Kings broadcaster Mark Jones. “His dedication to personal growth and embracing new challenges is a legacy worth commemorating, as we are doing today.”
West’s courtside seat is just one of many tributes dedicated to him since his passing. He is set to be posthumously inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame for a record third time, recognizing his contributions to the game as a manager and consultant following his illustrious playing career.