West Virginia University is scoring new opportunities for students to pursue and complete their degrees with a $5 million gift honoring late Mountaineer great Jerry West. Steve Ballmer, chairman of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers,

"The remaining funds will bolster the Jerry West Scholarship, which goes to undergraduate students from West Virginia with demonstrated financial need. First awarded in 1971, the

Pretty much everyone who has bounced a basketball is familiar with Jerry West. “Obviously, he’s the [inspiration for the] NBA Logo and a huge icon to the basketball community,” WVU senior guard Joseph Yesufu said.

The announcement coincides with Jerry West Day, a celebration of West’s memory and legacy at the WVU men’s basketball game this Saturday versus Iowa State.