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KEVIN DUCKWORTH DIES AT AGE 44


Former Trail Blazer Kevin Duckworth Dies

Duckworth Was On Coast For Kids Basketball Camp

POSTED: 5:57 am PDT August 26, 2008
UPDATED: 7:19 pm PDT August 26, 2008

Former Portland Trail Blazer Kevin Duckworth died Monday.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Duckworth, 44, died late Monday night at the Salishan Resort.

Sheriff's deputies said they received a report of a person not breathing in one of the rooms at about 10 p.m. Medics tried to revive Duckworth, but CPR efforts were unsuccessful.

Duckworth, who lived in Tigard, was on the coast as part of a Trail Blazers group hosting a free kids basketball clinic and visiting with fans. He was scheduled to take part in the clinic Tuesday in Lincoln City and in Newport.

The cause of his death was not released Tuesday morning, but deputies said there were no signs of foul play.

With Duckworth at center, the Blazers were an annual contender for the NBA title in the early 1990s. Portland won the Western Conference championship and made NBA finals appearances in 1990 and 1992.

After the 1987-88 season, the NBA named Duckworth the league's Most Improved Player.

While he struggled to control his weight throughout his career, Duckworth played in two NBA all-star games in 1989 and 1991.

The Blazers organization issued a statement Tuesday and called Duckworth's death a "devastating loss."

"Today is an extremely sad day for the Trail Blazers family," said Larry Miller, the Trail Blazers' president. "Kevin will be remembered by fans as one of the most popular and recognizable players to ever wear the Blazers uniform, but to people who knew him, he'll be remembered as one of the warmest and biggest-hearted."

Duckworth played 11 years in the NBA. In addition to Portland, he played for San Antonio, Washington, Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Clippers. He is the 10th-leading scorer in Blazers history.

Share your Duckworth memories below!

Former Trail Blazer Kevin Duckworth Dies
911 Call: Ex-Blazer Duckworth Found Dead At Coast Resort
Look Back At How Duckworth Came To Portland

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