Jerry West Statue Unveiled at Staples Center

February 24th, 2011

West Virginia native and Greenbrier Sporting Club member Jerry West was honored with a bronze statue at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, one of only five existing statues at the famed arena and home of the Los Angeles Lakers. West was honored by guests that included NBA greats such as Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Bill Russell, Pat Riley, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, owner Dr. Jerry Buss and NBA commissioner David Stern. Ever the humble hero, West told the audience, “When I look around, some of the people I’ve been around as athletes, some of the ones I’ve competed against, I really want to thank you for coming tonight. Frankly, it’s more meaningful than perhaps this statue.”

West, who opened Prime 44 West steakhouse at The Greenbrier resort two years ago, reminisced about his years as a young boy growing up in West Virginia with dreams of playing in the NBA. West, who grew up in Chelyan, West Virginia, will have an autobiography out later this year. A video of the ceremony can be viewed below: