Former Lowcountry coach reflects on passing of lifelong friend and NBA legend

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A three-time basketball hall of famer and man whose silhouette is considered the NBA logo passed away Wednesday.

Jerry West passed away Wednesday morning at the age of 86.

A part of West’s childhood is in Charleston and takes the form of a basketball rim, unlike any other.

“It’s stainless steel, been outside forever and it’s still not rusted,” said Les Robinson, a lifelong friend of Jerry West. However, that is not what makes this rim unique.

“Many great players shot this rim, but Jerry West did shoot on this, Labor Day, 1959,” Robinson said.

This rim belongs to Les Robinson, a former Citadel basketball coach and athletic director. Robinson grew up with West just outside of Charleston, WV.

“Met him probably in the 7th, 8th grade, 9th grade. Jerry was a unique guy. He was always very nice to me, but he always had that personality, a competitive guy,” Robinson said.

West was four years older than Robinson, and he says West’s father made him tough. Being tough is not unique in a coal-mining country, but not working in the mines is.

“The dad beat him because he wanted to play basketball and didn’t want to work in the coal mines,” Robinson said. “And back then playing basketball, football, baseball or whatever that wasn’t real popular with parents that work in the coal mines.”

The two men’s friendship lasted a lifetime through their love of basketball. West would come to Charleston for Robinson’s summer camps and stay with him; this rim was there every shot along the way from one Charleston to the other.

“Proud of Jerry, what a great career he had,” Robinson said. “He was always good to me, came to my camp here, and would stay with me out back. He was great now.”

So, as basketball loses a legend, the one memory that will never go away or even rust is the bond between two kids from West Virginia.

One was considered the best basketball player in the world; the other was considered the nicest.

“A great experience for me to have known him when I did, and what an influence he had on my career of going into basketball,” Robinson said. “He certainly was an influence on my love of the game, and he was the man.”

Thanks to the coach for the stroll down memory lane. Robinson has a book titled “Around in Circles with Les Robinson: Les Robinson: Life, Basketball and the NCAA,” if you want more stories.