ODUSports.com
	WEB

	Email Login Password New users sign up

April 10, 2008

NORFOLK, VA-- The College of Business and Public Administration welcomed Mark West (ODU '83), CBPA alumnus, Assistant General Manager and Vice President for the Phoenix Suns for a discussion of ethics, education, and life in the NBA Thursday at the Constant Hall (School of business) room 1002. West also visited with members of the ODU Monarchs basketball team and students after the lecture.

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. West was named the ECAC-South Tournament Most Valuable Player in 1980 and 1982. He performed the triple-double (points/rebounds & blocked shots) three times.

West hauled in nine rebounds in the Monarchs 63-62 upset win at undefeated and top ranked DePaul in 1980. In his four seasons at Old Dominion the Monarchs were 80-37 reaching the NCAA's twice and the NIT twice.

He became the school's all-time leader in blocked shots 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 also played for Milwaukee, Cleveland, Detroit, Indiana, Atlanta and the Phoenix Suns. West played 17 seasons in the NBA and is ranked second in league history in field goal percentage at .580. He led the NBA in field goal percentage (.625) during the 1989-90 season. In July of 2001, he was named assistant general manager for the Phoenix Suns.

West was featured in the July 19, 1999 edition of Fortune Magazine about being a licensed broker since 1992 and partner at Prudential Securities in Phoenix. West was honored by ODU in 2000 as a distinguished alumni.

West was very involved in the Player Association where he served as a "player Rep" and Union Vice President.

West's jersey number 45 was retired in 1984 and the Petersburg, Va. native was inducted into the ODU Sports Hall of Fame in 1988. He was inducted into the Hampton Roads African American Sports Hall of Fame in October of 2004. He was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame on April 22, 2006.