ON May 28, 1938 in Chelyan, West Virginia one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Jerry West was born. The town of Chelyan was small that it had no post office, so it was served by a post office in Cabin Creek.

When Jerry was growing up he was taught the game by his brother David, 15 years older, who was later killed in Korea. Jerry practiced the game his brother taught him religiously, practicing know matter what the weather. His mother scolded him many times after having to bring him back inside after shooting baskets through driving rainstorms.
As Jerry grew up and entered into high school all of the practicing of the game for all those long hours started paying off. He gained a lot of local fame as the star basketball player for Consolidated East Bank High School team. In his senor year he lead his team to the state title, scoring 39 points in the state championship game? East Bank did not lose a game all year. The championship was so important to the town that the Mayor of West Bank changed the name to Jerry for a day.

After the championship game colleges from all over the country came to talk to him about attending their school. After getting some advice from his mother, Jerry chose his home state school of West Virginia.

In his first year for the freshman team Jerry picked up where he left off from his high school days averaging nearly 20 points and leading his team to an undefeated record. IN Jerry's next year on the varsity his team finished 26-2 and lead the nations polls as the top team in the nation.I n his next two seasons Jerry was an All-American and thought his team never won the NCAA tournament Jerry was named the most valuable player of the tournament.

After his college career was over Jerry signed a contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. This would be the team Jerry would spend his entire career with. Jerry was an instant success in the NBA as he made both the All-Star and All-League team.

West continued to have a great career finishing with a 27 point average and countless All-Star appearances. He lead his team to the championship many times but could only win it all once in his amazing career.In the NBA's 50 anniversary Jerry was selected as one of the 50 greatest player of all time.

Jerry has since gone on to become the general manger of both the Lakers and his current job of general manager of the Memphis Grizzles. No matter how much time passes remember this: West was such a great player that his is the silhouette that is on the NBA logo.