Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

David West earned widespread respect across the NBA as an American power forward whose mid-range touch, rugged post game, and uncompromising physicality made him a constant problem for opposing frontcourts. There was a deliberate quality to everything he did—setting bone-jarring screens, sealing defenders before the catch, and calmly knocking down face-up jumpers that punished teams for conceding even a few feet of space.

Here’s the detailed information about David West:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: David Moorer West
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born August 29, 1980
  • Hometown: Teaneck, New Jersey
  • Height: 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 m)
  • Weight: 250 lbs (113 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 feet 4 inches (2.24 m)
  • Shoe Size: Size 17 (US)
  • Number: Wore jersey numbers 30, 21, 3, and 32 during his NBA career
  • Position: Power forward
  • High School: Hargrave Military Academy (Chatham, Virginia)
  • College: Xavier University (1999–2003)
  • NBA Draft: 2003, Round 1, Pick 18 by the New Orleans Hornets
  • Teams Played For:
    • New Orleans Hornets / Pelicans (2003–2011)
    • Indiana Pacers (2011–2015)
    • San Antonio Spurs (2015–2016)
    • Golden State Warriors (2016–2018)
  • Championship Rings: 2 (2017, 2018 with the Golden State Warriors)
  • Kids: 2 children, Dasia West and David Benjamin West
  • Siblings: David West has a brother, Dwayne West.

Player Archetype / Play Style

David West’s player archetype was that of a rugged two-way power forward: a physical interior veteran who blended mid-range scoring, hard screens, rebounding, and positional defense without needing the offense built entirely around him. He was not a pure rim-protecting anchor on defense, but he filled an important role as a strong team defender who could hold his ground in the post, switch capably for a big, and bring toughness and discipline to the frontcourt. Offensively, West operated as a reliable secondary scorer and connective piece, doing much of his damage from face-up looks, short jumpers, pick-and-pop actions, post work, and smart passing rather than explosive above-the-rim play. At 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, he had a sturdy frame and a bruising style, and his overall game was built on professionalism, physicality, polished footwork, and efficient, no-frills execution that made him one of the league’s steadiest veteran bigs. (Basketball Reference)

Scouting Report

David West understood exactly where his shots were coming from, and he rarely drifted outside that map. He wasn’t interested in dazzling defenders with complicated moves. Instead, he established position early, set bruising screens that created genuine separation, then slipped into the elbows where his balance and touch made him one of the most dependable mid-range scorers at his position. What stands out is how patiently he played after the catch. If a defender closed too hard, West took one or two strong dribbles into the paint, absorbed contact and either finished with either hand or delivered a simple pass to a cutter once the low man committed. He wasn’t a high-level playmaking hub, but he consistently made the correct read within the flow of the offence rather than forcing difficult attempts. His passing out of short rolls was particularly effective because he recognised where the next rotation was coming from before it fully arrived. Defensively, the trade-off was mobility. West handled physical post matchups well, boxed out with purpose and rotated on time from the weak side, but he wasn’t built to spend entire possessions switching onto quick guards or recovering across large areas of the floor. He thrived in structured defensive schemes where he could use positioning, strength and anticipation instead of chasing plays with speed. To me, his ideal fit is alongside a rim-protecting centre who covers the space above the rim, allowing West to focus on the physical work—contesting drives, controlling the defensive glass and punishing mismatches offensively without carrying the burden of protecting every inch of the paint. There are similarities to LaMarcus Aldridge because of the polished face-up game and reliable elbow jumper, while his combination of toughness, screening and interior efficiency also brings to mind Antonio McDyess after McDyess shifted toward a more fundamentally driven style. It’s easy to remember West for the jump shot, but the detail that stayed with me was how often he created advantages before anyone scored. A perfectly angled screen, an early seal or one extra beat of patience with the ball regularly turned an ordinary possession into a high-quality look.

Fun Facts

  • David West was a skilled and tough power forward known for his mid-range shooting, leadership, and physicality on the court.
  • He was a two-time NBA All-Star (2008, 2009) during his time with the New Orleans Hornets.
  • West played a critical role as a veteran leader on the Golden State Warriors’ championship teams in 2017 and 2018.
  • He is also known for his off-court activism and dedication to community service.

Sources:

Basketball-Reference — David West Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
Bleacher Report — B/R NBA 200: Ranking the Top Power Forwards of 2014-15 Season
Bleacher Report — NBA Position Power Rankings, End of Regular Season Edition: Power Forwards
Bleacher Report — New Orleans Hornets Breakdown: Chris Paul is the Key