Jerry West will be inducted into the Hall of Fame three times for the first time

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Jerry West made history Sunday by becoming the first three-time inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

This honor for West, who died in June at the age of 86, honored his work as a contributor and particularly recognized the eight championships he helped the Los Angeles Lakers win as a leader.

“Contributor to the game of basketball, that’s who you are in every way and that will live on forever,” West’s son Jonnie said, while Lakers Hall of Famers like Magic Johnson and James Worthy and coach Pat Riley sat on the stage nearby from in the Symphony Hall.

He had already been inducted for his playing career with the Lakers and again in 2010 as a member of the 1960 U.S. team that won an Olympic gold medal.

Michael Cooper, another former Lakers player from West, was also honored Sunday as part of the 13-member class led by Vince Carter and Chauncey Billups.