 |
 | 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. Westwas named ECAC-South Tournament Most Valuable Player in 1980 and 1982. He performedthe triple-double (points/rebounds & blocked shots) three times.
West hauled in nine rebounds in the Monarchs 63-62 upset win at undefeated and topranked DePaul in 1980. In his four seasons at Old Dominion the Monarchs were 80-37 reachingthe 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 andranked second in league history in field goal percentageat .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 servesas the team liason for the NBA Player Development program administered by the league.
West was featured in the July 19, 1999 "FORTUNEMAGAZINE" about being a licensed broker since 1992and partner at Prudential Securities in Phoenix. Westwas honored by ODU in 2000 as a distinguished alumni. West has been a licensed stockbroker since 1992.
West was very envolved in the Player Associationwhere he served as a "player Rep" and Union VicePresident.
West's jersey number 45 was retired in 1984 andthe Petersburg, VA. native ws inducted into the ODUSports Hall of Fame in 1988. He was inducted into theHampton Roads African American Sports Hall of Famein October of 2004. He was inducted into the VirginiaSports Hall of Fame on April 22nd, 2006.
"I will say this, I am completely overwhelmed. I am herein the Hall of Fame. But Petersburg is here, ODU isheare, my family is here. You are all heare, theinfluences 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 Markyle.