Hershell West facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | Rayville, Louisiana |
| Nationality | American |
| High school | Eula D. Britton (Rayville, Louisiana) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Listed weight | 190 lb (86 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Grambling State (1959–1963) |
| NBA Draft | 1963 / Round: 2 / Pick: 15th overall |
| Selected by the Syracuse Nationals | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
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Hershell West is an American who used to play and coach basketball. He was a talented player who made a big impact on the court and later helped young athletes.
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Early Life and High School Basketball
Hershell West grew up in Rayville, Louisiana. He played basketball at Eula D. Britton High School. In 1959, his team won the Louisiana State AA Championship. This was a big achievement for him and his teammates.
College Career at Grambling State
Fred Hobdy, the head coach for Grambling State Tigers men's basketball, saw Hershell and his teammates play. He was so impressed that he offered all five starters from Britton High scholarships. These scholarships allowed them to play basketball at Grambling State University.
Hershell West played college basketball for the Grambling State Tigers for four years. During his time there, he helped his team win a major title. In 1961, they became champions of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). This is a national championship for smaller colleges.
Hershell was also recognized as one of the best players in his conference. He was chosen for the first-team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) twice. This happened in both 1962 and 1963. In 1962, Hershell and six other Tigers players went on a special trip. They traveled to Latin America as part of a goodwill tour.
From Player to Coach
After college, Hershell West was chosen in the 1963 NBA draft. He was the 15th player picked overall by the Syracuse Nationals. Even though he was drafted, he never played in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Instead, Hershell decided to become a basketball coach. He coached at Richwood High School in Louisiana. As a coach, he became a mentor to many young players. One of his most famous students was Larry Wright, who later became an NBA player.
Hershell helped Larry transfer to a bigger school, Western High School, in Washington, D.C. This move helped Larry become a highly sought-after player by colleges. Larry honored Hershell by choosing to play for Grambling State. He turned down offers from other schools to play for the Tigers, just like Hershell did.
Hall of Fame Recognition
In 2009, Hershell West received a special honor. He became one of the first people to be inducted into the Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame. This award recognizes his great achievements and contributions to Grambling State University's sports history.
