W.Va. native Jerry West awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
Published: Sep. 5, 2019 at 10:59 PM EDT
President Donald Trump has awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to pro basketball great Jerry West, a West Virginia native.
The NBA legend says, "It never ceases to amaze me the places you can go in this world chasing a basketball."
West delivered championships to the Los Angeles Lakers as both a player and an executive.
Back at home in the Mountain State, West is known as a West Virginia University star -- leading the Mountaineers to the 1959 NCAA championship game.
West was drafted by the Lakers in 1960. The14-time NBA All Star helped lead his team to the NBA finals nine times. He later served as a coach and general manager for the Lakers.
West also played for the gold medal winning U.S. Olympic team.
