MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia celebrated the life of NBA great Jerry West, the school’s all-time leading scorer, at its sellout game Saturday against No. 2 Iowa State, and announced at halftime that his No. 44 will be retired across all sports at the university.
The Mountaineers then pulled off the upset, knocking off the Cyclones 64-57 on the strength of a 39-point second half.
Video tributes and stories about West, who died June 12, 2024, at the age of 86, were shown throughout the game, including past clips from Pat Riley, Magic Johnson and former West Virginia stars Rod Thorn, Willie Akers and the late “Hot” Rod Hundley.
As part of Saturday’s remembrance, Los Angeles Clippers chairman Steve Ballmer announced a $5 million gift to support West Virginia students in West’s memory. West worked for the Clippers as a consultant for the seven years prior to his death.
Fans posed for photos next to a statue of West outside West Virginia’s arena and were given commemorative gold-and-blue pendants with the No. 44 and the inscription “Forever a Mountaineer.” The university retired West’s No. 44 in 2005.
West’s number is enshrined in the rafters alongside the retired numbers of Thorn and Hundley.
West’s wife, Karen, and three of his sons were given a standing ovation at halftime on the court, including Jonnie West, a member of the Mountaineers’ Final Four team in 2010.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
