We were invited to an event at Chasr field for Goriila Play Center and meet the amazing Mark West , formers Phoenix Suns Player..He signed autographs and told his story about becoming a player... It was a super fun evening and we won the raffle of a goodie bag filled with a basket ball ,tee- shirt, Suns cap and many more goodies.. the girls has a great time!
MARK WEST:...
Hometown:
Petersburg, VA.
High School:
Petersburg High School
Height:
6-10
Position:
Center
Birthdate:
11/05/1960 Mark West guarded the basket like no one else during his four years at Old Dominion. The three-time All-American led the nation in blocked shots both as a sophomore and junior. He scored 1,308 career points, grabbed 1,113 career rebounds and shot 56 percent from the field. As a senior he was named to the Sun Belt Conference's first team.
West hauled in a career high 23 rebounds in a game against Texas Wesleyan in 1980. West was named ECAC-South Tournament Most Valuable Player in 1980 and 1982. He performed the triple-double (points/rebounds & blocked shots) three times.
West hauled in nine rebounds in the Monarchs 63-62 upset win at undefeated and top ranked DePaul in 1980. In his four seasons at Old Dominion the Monarchs were 80-37 reaching the NCAA's twice and the NIT twice.
He became the school's all-time blocked-shot leader with 446 and was honored by the Associated Press as an Honorable Mention All-American in 1981 and 1982, and The Sporting News in 1981. His career field goal percentage was .559. West graduated with a degree in business administration with an emphasis in financial management.
He was drafted in the second round by the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA, and has also played for Milwaukee, Cleveland, Detroit, Indiana, Atlanta and the Phoenix Suns. West played 17 seasons in the NBA and ranked second in league history in field goal percentage at .580. He led the NBA in field goal percentage (.625) in 1989-90 season. He is currently second in NBA history in field goal percentage (.580), trailing only Artis Gilmore's .599 rate, and West led the NBA in shooting in 1989-90 when he shot .625 from the field.
In July of 2001, he was named assistant general manager for the Phoenix Suns. West is currently Vice President of Player Programs. In his role, West carries out a wide range of duties focusing on the business of basketball, Player relations and development and community representation. Mark also serves as the team liason for the NBA Player Development program administered by the league.
West was featured in the July 19, 1999 "FORTUNE MAGAZINE" about being a licensed broker since 1992 and partner at Prudential Securities in Phoenix. West was honored by ODU in 2000 as a distinguished alumni. West has been a licensed stockbroker since 1992.
West was very envolved in the Player Association where he served as a "player Rep" and Union Vice President.
West's jersey number 45 was retired in 1984 and the Petersburg, VA. native ws inducted into the ODU Sports Hall of Fame in 1988. He was inducted into the Hampton Roads African American Sports Hall of Fame in October of 2004. He was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame on April 22nd, 2006.
"I will say this, I am completely overwhelmed. I am here in the Hall of Fame. But Petersburg is here, ODU is heare, my family is here. You are all heare, the influences you had on me."
West grew up in Petersburg, Va., but was Born in Fort Campbell, Ky. He and his wife Elaina have two sons, Markus and
