West Virginia connections impacting the NBA once again — in a big way

When I was growing up, I couldn’t get enough of the NBA.
Well, perhaps I should be more specific. I couldn’t get enough of watching Jerry West and the Los Angeles Lakers. He was from East Bank in West Virginia. He was a star at WVU. He took over the NBA.
He was an inspiration.
I was drawn to the NBA again during the Magic Johnson-Larry Bird era.
But then my interest faded. Aside from short stints in the league from ex-WVU players like Lowes Moore and Joe Alexander, I didn’t find enough to hold my interest.
Yet boy how things have changed.
Look around. Check out the West Virginia connections dotting the NBA. It’s been fun as heck to watch.
Of course, in the coaching ranks no one currently is more high profile than former WVU guard Joe Mazzulla. In my opinion, he should have been named coach of the year after taking the Boston Celtics to an NBA-best 64-18 regular season record. That follows a 57-25 record last season.
He’s a heck of a story, quickly rising from head coach at Fairmont State University into the NBA ranks and then to head coach. He has the highest career winning percentage (73.8 percent) of all time, albeit, yes, early in his career and with a loaded roster at heading into Wednesday’s game. Consider he’s ahead of Phil Jackson. Yes, that Phil Jackson.
The Celtics have been first in offensive rankings and third in defensive rankings. In the Celtics first game of the playoffs, they defeated Miami by 20.
Another amazing story is that of Mike Gansey, another former WVU standout. Gansey grew up just outside of Cleveland, went to St. Bonaventure to play hoops, transferred to WVU, and won over the fans with his energy and hustle. After playing overseas, he then interviewed with the Cleveland Cavaliers for an internship. He arrived early, and stayed late and worked his way up from the G-League team to become the NBA team’s general manager in February of 2022.
Now his Cavs are thriving, up 2-0 over Orlando in Round 1 of the playoffs after finishing fourth in the Eastern Conference. Just, wow.
In regard to players, WVU fan favorite Jevon Carter is with the Chicago Bulls these days. The 2018 second round pick, Carter played in 72 games this season (only five other Bulls played in more games), averaging 13.9 minutes and 5 points a game. He converted 37.8 percent of all shots and 32.9 percent of 3-point shots. (Over the previous three seasons he’d hit 40.5 percent of his threes.) He converted but 57.1 percent of his free throws and his plus/minus was plus .4.
It’s probably not what the Bulls hoped for when they signed him to a three-year $19.5 million contract, but it’s been a heck of a ride. (After leaving Milwaukee for Chicago he was hailed as “Lonzo Ball light” and a “pest as a defender.” Another comparison was Patrick Beverley.)
Carter is in line to make $6.5 million in 2024-25 and $6.8 million in 2025-26 with a player option. He’s already made over $22 million in six seasons.
If you’ve been paying attention to the NBA fireworks in the Big Apple, you’ve no doubt seen the sparks from ex-WVU standout Miles “Deuce” McBride, who is fast becoming one of the New York Knicks fans’ favorite players. In this past Saturday’s playoff win over Philadelphia, he had 21 points and a plus-37 rating in 28 minutes off the bench, while connecting on 5 of 7 from 3-point land.
Then, Monday night, in Game 2 of the series, he scored 9 points, but helped stifle 76ers star Tyrese Maxey. Also, he made an amazing steal that electrified the Madison Square Garden crowd. With 8:20 remaining, Maxey grabbed a defensive rebound but was quickly met by McBride, who ripped the ball away. Instead of hesitating for a whistle, McBride continued and quickly put the ball in for a score.
The Knicks’ decision to sign McBride to a three-year, $13 million extension right before New Year’s is certainly paying off for the team. He played 68 games in the regular season, averaging 8.3 points. He’s averaging 15 in the playoffs.
And don’t forget former Wheeling Jesuit standout Haywood Highsmith, who has been playing well for the Miami Heat. The 6-5 forward played in 66 games for the Heat in the regular season with 26 starts, averaging 20.7 minutes and 6.1 points. He was second on the team in blocks.
He’s in his third season. Like McBride, he recently signed a nice contract. According to Spotrac it’s for three years and $3,945,742, all guaranteed.
Other West Virginia connections have peppered the league too. Buckhannon’s Chris Wallace was once the GM of the Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies and is now the Director of Scouting for the Houston Rockets. Jonny West, another former WVU player, has been with Golden State.
And, of course, there’s West’s father Jerry, perhaps every West Virginia boy’s idol for decades, a three-time Hall of Fame member after a storied career as a player, general manager and contributor.
He’s the Logo for a reason.
And it’s good to see more West Virginia connections dotting the NBA once again.
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Mitch Vingle covered sports in West Virginia for 38 years. Follow Mitch on Twitter at @MitchVingle and be sure to check out the rest of Wheelhouse Creative’s website for your marketing and advertising needs. If interested, call us at 304-905-6005.