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United States David West is a two-time NBA All-Star and two-time NBA champion who transitioned from an impactful player to an advocate for collegiate basketball reform through the Professional Collegiate League.
David West became the first Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Historical Basketball League (HBL), later renamed The Professional Collegiate League. His role involves creating an equitable system to address the exploitation of collegiate basketball players, particularly young Black men, by paying them for their labor and offering an alternative to the NCAA model. The league aimed to pay players $50,000 to $150,000 based on talent and marketability.
David Moorer West, born on August 29, 1980, in Teaneck, New Jersey, had a distinguished collegiate career at Xavier University. During his time at Xavier from 1999 to 2003, he achieved significant recognition, including being named the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year three times (2001-2003). In his senior year (2003), West was honored as the AP National Player of the Year and received the Oscar Robertson Trophy, solidifying his status as one of the top collegiate players in the nation. He recorded the first triple-double in Xavier’s history and became only the second player in the university’s history to accumulate over 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. His collegiate success laid the groundwork for his professional basketball career, which began when he was drafted 18th overall in the 2003 NBA Draft.
West embarked on a 15-season NBA career, starting with the New Orleans Hornets (2003-2011). He emerged as a key player for the Hornets, earning two NBA All-Star selections in 2008 and 2009. After his tenure in New Orleans, West joined the Indiana Pacers (2011-2015), where he continued to be a productive power forward, contributing to successful playoff runs. He then played for the San Antonio Spurs (2015-2016) before concluding his career with the Golden State Warriors (2016-2018). With the Warriors, West achieved his career pinnacle, winning back-to-back NBA championships in 2017 and 2018. He was a veteran presence, known for his leadership and consistent performance off the bench.
Following his retirement from professional basketball in August 2018, West became involved in addressing issues within collegiate athletics. In November 2018, he assumed the role of the first Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Historical Basketball League (HBL), later renamed The Professional Collegiate League. This initiative aimed to provide an equitable system for college basketball players, paying them for their labor and challenging traditional collegiate exploitation. West has also been vocal about social and political issues, including NBA activism, diversity, and advocating for a deeper understanding of global politics.
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