Golden State Warriors to Honor Jerry West with Court Decal

The Golden State Warriors have announced that they will pay tribute to the late Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Jerry West by featuring a special “JW” decal on the court of the Chase Center throughout the 2024-2025 season. This gesture honors West’s contributions as an Executive Board Member of the Warriors from 2011 to 2017.

According to an official release, the Warriors will unveil the decal and hold a moment of silence for West before their preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Stephen Curry, the team’s standout guard, will be presented with the 2023-2024 Jerry West Clutch Player of the Year Award—an accolade named for West, who earned the nickname “Mr. Clutch” during his career.

Jerry West passed away on June 12, 2024, at the age of 86. Throughout his tenure with the Warriors, the team achieved significant successes, including five consecutive playoff appearances, three trips to the NBA Finals, and two NBA championships.

Beyond his notable stint with the Warriors, West made history by being the first person inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame three times—first as a player in 1980, then as a member of the 1960 U.S. Men’s Olympic Team in 2010, and finally in 2024 as a contributor for his executive roles with multiple teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Memphis Grizzlies.

West Virginia University (WVU) has also chosen to commemorate West’s legacy. As a native of Cheylan, West Virginia, and a legendary alumnus, West was beloved by the Mountaineer community. WVU Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker released a statement highlighting West’s contributions to the university and its student-athletes.

“Through his lifetime of commitment to West Virginia University and its academic and athletic mission, the great Jerry West has touched the lives of thousands of our student-athletes. He’s the greatest Mountaineer ever,” Baker said. “His outstanding legacy is large, and he will always be beloved, remembered, and in the hearts of all West Virginians.”

The WVU basketball team has marked the baseline at their home court with a gold circle featuring West’s name and his iconic No. 44, a tribute to the legendary Mountaineer set to debut during an exhibition game against Charleston.