It was not David West’s plan to play professional basketball when he entered Garner High School in 1996 as a transfer student from New Jersey. But the Garner coaches had different ideas, which opened a world of success for West on and off the court. West purchased the Garner Road YMCA several years ago to keep it from closing. Then the facility increased its basketball, tutoring, and community programs for area youth. “No books, no ball” is the slogan at the Garner Road gym. It’s fitting given West’s reputation as an athlete who understands the importance of knowledge on and off the court.