Due to his consistent mid-range jumper and excellent scoring average in high school Jerry West became a highly recruited player heading into college. West ultimately chose to stay close to home and attend West Virginia University. During the 1958-59 season under head coach Fred Schaus Jerry West led the Moutaineers to the National Championship game. West was an All-American that averaged 26.6 points-per-game and 12.1 rebounds during that illustrious season. He averaged an astonishing 32 ppg during the tournament, but in the final game West Virginia lost 71-70 to California. Because of Jerry’s performance during the tournament he was selected as the MVP.

In the 1959–60 season West’s final collegiate season he averaged 29.3 points-per-game and 16.5 rebounds. He was selected as an All-American again and attained 30 double-doubles and fifteen 30-point games that year.

Jerry West is the #5 college basketball player of all-time.