One of the best players that ever played in the NBA and a Los Angeles Lakers legend, Jerry West, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump. West is one of the biggest legends in basketball, and he managed to win NBA championships with the Lakers as both a player and executive.
West was honored to receive the nation’s highest civilian honor, which is not often given to athletes. Muhammad Ali is another sports figure who was honored with the Medal of Freedom. West is currently working as a consultant with the Los Angeles Clippers, and was happy for this recognition.
“It never ceases to amaze me the places you can go in this world chasing a basketball,” West said. “I swear, my name is going to look like a misprint on this list,” he joked during the ceremony held in the Oval Office at the White House.
President Trump said West’s honor was “richly deserved.” He mentioned West’s humble beginning, his basketball days at West Virginia University, and massive success in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers and an Olympic gold medal. Trump also cited West’s support for military veterans and charitable causes in Los Angeles.
This afternoon in the Oval Office, President @realDonaldTrump will award the Medal of Freedom to Jerry West, whose excellence and determination have made him a true sports icon! 🏀 pic.twitter.com/dPKQOF6X9Y
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 5, 2019
West played for the high school varsity basketball team but was on the bench more often than on the court during his junior year. West wasn’t happy with that and entirely devoted himself to basketball, growing six inches over the summer. Then, as a senior, West scored 900 points and helped his team win the 1956 state title, after which he went on to play college basketball at WVU.
Known as “Mr. Clutch,” West was an All-Star every season of his 14-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, leading the team to the NBA Finals on nine occasions. In 1979, West was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. He is also known for his silhouette which is the basis of the NBA logo, a player dribbling a ball set against a red-and-blue background.
