NBA

• Former Blazer Duckworth dies

  
  

  Portland, OR (Sports Network) - Former Portland Trail Blazers center Kevin Duckworth died Monday. He was 44.

  A member of the Trail Blazers from 1986-93, the 7-footer also played for San Antonio, Washington, Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Clippers during his 11-year NBA career.

  "Today is an extremely sad day for the Trail Blazers family," Trail Blazers President Larry Miller said.

  "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 died while on the Oregon Coast representing the Trail Blazers as a Heritage Ambassador on the team's 19-city Statewide Summer Tour. The cause of his death is unknown, and will be determined by a Lincoln County, Oregon Medical Examiner.

  Duckworth is the 10th-leading scorer (7,188) and rebounder (3,327) in Trail Blazers history, compiling averages of 13.6 points and 6.3 rebounds in 527 games with Portland.

  In 684 career NBA games, Duckworth scored 8,085 points (11.8 ppg), grabbed 3,945 rebounds (5.8 rpg) and shot 46.8 percent from the field.

  "This is a devastating loss," said Traci Rose, Trail Blazers vice president of community relations.

  "To this day, Duck is adored throughout this state and remains a brother to his teammates and to Trail Blazers staff. We will forever miss our beloved 00."

  08/26 11:07:10 ET