Mark West

Mark Andre West (born November 5, 1960) is an American former professional basketball player. A center from Old Dominion University, West was selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the second round (30th overall) of the 1983 NBA draft.

Early life West was born in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and was raised in Petersburg, Virginia. He attended Petersburg High School.

College West played four years at Old Dominion University (ODU) where he hauled down 1,113 career rebounds, shot 56 percent from the floor and scored 1,308 career points. In 1980 and 1982 West was named ECAC-South Tournament Most Valuable Player. He also led the nation in blocked shots in 1980 and 1981 and completed his career with 446 career blocks for a 3.8 per game average. He was declared an All-American three times.

College statistics

Career

As basketball player West was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in the 1983 NBA draft in the second round with the 30th overall pick. West played 17 seasons in the NBA from 1983 to 2000 as a member of the Mavericks, Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, and Atlanta Hawks. West was a key player on the Phoenix Suns team that lost to the Chicago Bulls in the 1993 NBA Finals.

West compiled 6,259 points and 5,347 rebounds in his NBA career and also ranks third all-time (behind Hall of Famers Artis Gilmore and Shaquille O'Neal) in career field-goal percentage (58.03%).

He played for the US national team in the 1982 FIBA World Championship, winning a silver medal.

Additional career in athletics In 2001, West was hired by the Phoenix Suns as assistant general manager. In 2015, he also became the team's Director of Player Relations while continuing to perform some coaching duties.

Other pursuits West has been a licensed stockbroker since 1992 and in the 1990s became a partner at Prudential Securities in Phoenix.

NBA career statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Honors and awards In 1984, West's jersey number 45 was retired at his alma mater, Old Dominion University. He was inducted into the ODU Sports Hall of Fame in 1988. Old Dominion University honored West in 2000 as a distinguished alumnus.

West was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame on April 22, 2006, and the Hampton Roads African American Sports Hall of Fame in October 2004.

NBA field goal percentage leader

Personal life West and his wife Elaina have two sons, Markus and Markyle.