The basketball world was saddened by the passing of NBA legend Jerry West on June 12.
Born in Chelyan, W. Va., West grew up in a poor and abusive household, even reportedly sleeping with a shotgun to protect himself from his abusive father.
The eventual star was undersized and not very athletic as a child, needing regular vitamin injections to stay healthy.
He grew up hunting, fishing and shooting—baskets, that is. West honed his shot on a hoop nailed to a shed, chucking it up through all weather conditions and elements. West just kept shooting.
By the time he attended East Bank High School, he was a member of the basketball team. After
