Lakers to Honor West Virginia Legend Jerry West During 2024-25 Season

The Los Angeles Lakers will honor West Virginia legend Jerry West with a No. 44 logo band on their jerseys this upcoming season.

The Lakers will also have a celebration for West on Oct. 22, the season-opening game.

The team will honor Jerry West with a commemorative No. 44 band on their jerseys this season 💜 pic.twitter.com/S8MZ3WN5DB

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) September 10, 2024

West died at the age of 86 on June 12.

West spent 39 seasons with the Lakers organization, playing from 1960-74, coaching from 1976-79 and serving as the executive from 1979-2000. West won six NBA championships within his time spent with the Lakers as an executive before serving as an executive for the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers. Like with the Lakers, many credit West for laying the groundwork of what became the Warriors recent dynasty.

As a player, West was a 14-time NBA All-Star, won the 1969 NBA Finals MVP, became an NBA champion in 1972 and had his No. 44 retired by the franchise. West was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team back in 2022.

West Virginia University will also honor West throughout the 2024-25 athletic year. All 18 varsity teams will represent West with a commemorative logo on some gear, depending on the sport.

More specifically, the men’s basketball team will have a special weekend to honor West’s legacy, at a future Big 12 game. WVU says that date will be finalized when the conference sets dates and times for the games. The men’s basketball team will also wear throwback Jerry West-era jerseys during that game, similar to the ones worn by the 2004 team when they celebrated 100 years of West Virginia basketball.

WVU Coliseum’s floor will have a No. 44 logo on the sidelines throughout the 2024-25 season.