Jerome Kersey, a small forward who played 17 NBA seasons - most with the Portland Trail Blazers - died Wednesday. He was 52. The Trail Blazers confirmed the news, but had no information on cause of death.
Owner Paul Allen issued the following statement.
“Today we lost an incredible person and one of the most beloved players to ever wear a Trail Blazers uniform,” - Blazers Owner Paul Allen.
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) February 19, 2015
Paul Allen cont. on Kersey: “My thoughts and condolences are with the Kersey family. He will be missed by all of us. It’s a terrible loss.”
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) February 19, 2015
Kersey was drafted by the Blazers in 1984 and played 11 years in Portland, becoming a key component of teams that reached the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992. He also had a memorable performance in the 1987 Slam Dunk Contest, finishing second to Michael Jordan.
After the Blazers, Kersey had stints with the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs and Milwaukee Bucks before retiring in 2000. He won an NBA Championship ring with the Spurs in 1999.
- With files from The Associated Press
