West fueled by extra motivation sitting in the stands

Lamont West has a pair twenty-point performances during his brief career at West Virginia and the two are linked more than you’d expect on the surface.

First was his a 21-point outburst against Oklahoma State at the beginning of the month, followed by a career-high 23 points Monday night against Texas. In both games, the redshirt freshman came off the bench to hit six threes while providing a spark for the Mountaineers struggling offense.

But what do the two performances have in common?

His mother, Tonya West, was in the stands for both. And coincidentally those are the only two games that she’s been able to make it to this season.

“Every game she’s ever been to I always play like this,” West said.

West spent last season away from the court as he focused on developing his overall game as he adjusted to college basketball.

That meant time in the gym getting up shots and he would take anywhere between 500 to 1,000 per day a routine that he has continued.

That routine has given him the utmost confidence in his shot. Evident when he catches the ball.

“I expect it to go in when I shoot it,” he said.

Prior to the Texas game, West stayed for an hour and a half after practice and then was back on the floor two hours before the game getting up shots. His head coach took notice.

With sophomore Esa Ahmad out with an injury, West was the natural fit for a larger role and he took advantage of his 22-minutes with a career best performance.

“He’s in the gym all the time,” Huggins said. “…He did a good job on the perimeter and I think he did a good job on their bigs.”

Coming off the bench all season, West has become accustomed to the role of being ready when called upon and has embraced his spot on the team as somebody that can provide a spark. He continues to work on both his defense and rebounding to help him earn more time on the floor.

“I always stay prepared,” he said.

But in the meantime, West Virginia is hoping for more opportunities to have West’s mother in the stands for a number of reasons.

“I always want to impress her and do my best,” West said.