Michael Jordan reacts to Jerry West passing away in heartfelt statement following his death at 86

Michael Jordan has paid an emotional tribute to Jerry West following the NBA icon’s death at the age of 86.

West, whose silhouette is used as the NBA’s logo, died Wednesday morning with his wife Karen by his side.

Jordan texted Stephen A. Smith to read First Take after news of West’s death broke.

Jordan said, “I am so deeply saddened by the news of Jerry’s passing. He was truly a friend and a mentor, like an older brother to me.

‘I appreciated his friendship and knowledge. I always wished I could have played against him as a competitor, but the more I got to know him, I wished I could have been his teammate.

NBA legend Jerry West, pictured with wife Karen and son Jonnie, has died at the age of 86

The iconic NBA logo was created using the silhouette of Lakers legend West

“I admired his basketball acumen and he and I shared a lot of similarities in the way we approached the game. He will be missed forever.

“My condolences to his wife, Karen, and his son. Rest in peace, Logo. Michael Jordan.”

Smith then added, “He sent that to me and asked me to read that.”

A mostly private figure, West had been with Karen since 1978 and the couple have two sons, Ryan and Jonnie, the latter of whom played basketball at his father’s alma mater, WVU, and later married golfer Michelle Wie.

Previously, West was married to his college sweetheart, with whom he had three sons: David, Mark and Michael.

The current NBA logo was created by Alan Siegel in 1969 by incorporating West’s silhouette from a photo taken by Wen Roberts.

The logo was modeled after that of Major League Baseball, a silhouette of a player many mistakenly believe to be Twins slugger Harmon Killebrew. (The image is probably a composite of several players in the late 1960s).

The West logo debuted in 1971, and while the NBA has never confirmed that it is indeed him, there have been no denials either.

But given the way Jordan ended his statement by calling West “Logo,” there’s no doubt he’s the best player to ever do it.