Jerry West (1938–2024), three-time NBA Hall of Famer

Jerry West was a three-time NBA Hall of Famer widely considered one of the best to ever play, as well as a successful executive who helped launch the career of iconic pro ballers like . 

Charles “Cotton” Nash (1942–2023), played in the NBA and MLB 

Charles “Cotton” Nash was a basketball star at the University of Kentucky in the 1960s who went on to play both basketball and baseball professionally.

Bud Grant (1927–2023), longtime Minnesota Vikings head coach

Bud Grant was the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings from the 1960s through 1980s, leading them to four Super Bowl appearances.

Elgin Baylor (1934–2021), Los Angeles Lakers Hall of Famer

Elgin Baylor was an NBA player and executive who was a superstar of the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1950s and ‘60s.

Kobe Bryant (1978–2020), basketball legend

Kobe Bryant wasone of the greatest players to put on an NBA uniform.Bryant played all 20 of his seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, leading them to five NBA titles.Wearing his familiar number 24, the shooting guard was an 18-time All-Star and a two-time NBA finals MVP.An unstoppable scorer from outside and inside, he averaged 25 points a game in his career. Bryant was the NBA's fourth highest scorer of all time and the league's first guard to play 20 seasons. When he started with the Lakers in 1996, Bryant was the youngest person ever to play in an NBA game mdash he skipped college in favor of going pro, and he was just 17 when he signed with the Lakers and a little over 18 when he played his first game. Bryant won two gold medals for Team USA in the Olympics, in 2008 and 2012.

Tex Winter (1922–2018), genius behind the triangle offense

His innovative offense led the Bulls and Lakers to many NBA titles.

Connie Hawkins (1942–2017), basketball legend from the schoolyard to the Hall of Fame

PHOENIX (AP) — Connie Hawkins, basketball's dazzling New York playground legend who soared and swooped his way to the Hall of Fame, has died at 75.