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Post by DiamondThief on Feb 18, 2015 20:01:37 GMT -8
 Updated: 2/21/15, 7:49 p.m.Feb. 21 - The Blazers have announced that they will wear a patch on their jerseys to honor former Blazers player and current team ambassador Jerome Kersey, who passed away on Feb. 18. Kersey played 11 years for the Blazers, from 1984-95. The players will wear the patch for the remainder of the season, the first time being tomorrow's home game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The cause of death is a blood clot which traveled from Kersey's left calf to his lung and caused a pulmonary thromboembolism, according to Dr. Larry Lewman with the state medical examiner's office.. Kersey enjoyed a 17-year NBA playing career which took him to the Warriors, Lakers, Sonics, Spurs and Bucks following his stint in Portland. He won a championship as a member of the Spurs in 1999. After retiring in 2010, he served as an assistant coach in various capacities with a number of teams. 
Kersey was drafted by the Blazers in the second round in 1984 and earned a spot in the starting lineup during the 1987-88 season. He was the starting small forward on the Blazers teams which made it to the NBA finals in 1990 and 1992, and which set a franchise record with 63 wins in 1991.
He held career averages of 10.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, recording his Blazers high averages of 19.2 points in 1987-88 and 8.4 rebounds in 1989-90.
Kersey attended Longwood College (Virginia), where he where he set school records for points, rebounds, steals and blocked shots while making 57% of his baskets. As a senior, his rebounding average of 14.2 led all NCAA Division II players. He was inducted into Longwood's Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.
Kersey, who was born in Clarksville, Virginia, was 52. He leaves behind a wife, Teri, and seven children.
- ANM/MKM
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Post by newellbrian on Feb 18, 2015 20:13:12 GMT -8
This came outta nowhere. RIP Mercy Mercy Jerome Kersey.
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Post by DiamondThief on Feb 18, 2015 20:15:38 GMT -8
It really did, Brian. I never saw him play except for in clips but he seemed like a very energetic player and a great guy off the court. He will be missed.
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Post by newellbrian on Feb 18, 2015 20:21:52 GMT -8
It really did, Brian. I never saw him play except for in clips but he seemed like a very energetic player and a great guy off the court. He will be missed. I can remember him playing in the '92 Finals. |
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Post by DiamondThief on Feb 18, 2015 20:39:07 GMT -8
It really did, Brian. I never saw him play except for in clips but he seemed like a very energetic player and a great guy off the court. He will be missed. I can remember him playing in the '92 Finals. You are lucky. I was trying to remember if I saw him play later in his career, but I cannot come up with anything. I really enjoyed his analysis on Talkin' Ball. He really seemed to enjoy talking about basketball and the Blazers. |
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Post by newellbrian on Feb 18, 2015 21:12:44 GMT -8
Clyde on Jerome - "It is so sad," said former Portland teammate Clyde Drexler, his voice cracking over the telephone. "It is a huge loss for the Portland community. He was the greatest guy, the nicest friend, teammate and brother. He was loved by everyone. We will all miss him. He just cared so much. This is unbelievable."
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Post by DiamondThief on Feb 18, 2015 21:30:29 GMT -8
Paul Allen on Jerome Kersey - "Today we lost an incredible person and one of the most beloved players to ever wear a Trail Blazers uniform."
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Post by Kasey on Feb 18, 2015 21:40:38 GMT -8
this is such sad news. i vaguely remember seeing him play and i remember him being really active. kind of like a combination of Wesley and Nicolas. he was terrific for the Portland community. he seemed so vibrant. it is a sad day.
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Post by Cam on Feb 18, 2015 22:13:41 GMT -8
Such sad news to hear. RIP Jerome Kersey.
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Post by Yeseeka on Feb 19, 2015 22:47:35 GMT -8
I remember when I was younger when everyone talked about the finals teams, they would always mention how tough Kersey was. Then when he was in the community over the past several years he was tender and always had a big smile. This is a huge loss for the Blazers community. Rest In Peace, Jerome Kersey.
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Post by DiamondThief on Feb 21, 2015 23:41:21 GMT -8
Here are some tributes for Jerome Kersey from some of the teams for which he played. Note the time stamps on the tweets for the nights of the games.
The Thunder (formerly the Sonics) and the Spurs have not played home games. The Bucks played at home on Feb. 20, but I did not find any mention of an observance.
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Post by Kasey on Feb 22, 2015 14:12:09 GMT -8
In case you guys wanted to check this out, KGW's Laural Porter tweeted the links to the station's tribute to Jerome.
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Graphic courtesy of David.