One of the most prolific rim protectors of the 1980s and 9190s, Mark West played two different stints with the Suns. The 6-foot-10 center played his college career at the underrated Old Dominion University, twice leading the nation in blocks. The super-swatting continued in the NBA, where he played for the Dallas Mavericks, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Cleveland Cavaliers early in his career.
In February of 1988, he was a part of a borderline-blockbuster trade, when Cleveland sent a package including West, Kevin Johnson and the pick that would become Dan Majerle to the Phoenix Suns. The heart of that package was, along with Charles Barkley, the core of strong Western Conference contenders in the early 1990s.
West played six-and-a-half seasons for Phoenix in his first time there, appearing in every single available game. A low-usage player on offense, West was an efficient finisher, even leading the league in field goal percentage in 1990. West started all 24 games of the Suns’ run to the NBA Finals in 1993, where they lost to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in six games.
By the end of his career, West returned to the Suns for one last run, playing 22 games during the 1999-00 season. He ranks 41st in NBA history in career blocks, second to Larry Nance in Suns franchise history.
Among players with at least a full season in Phoenix, he is second to Tyson Chandler in career field goal percentage. West’s 30.7 career win shares rank 16th all-time among Suns players.