Apr 1, 1964 – Aug 25, 2008
Kevin Duckworth, born on Apr 01, 1964 in Harvey, IL, passed away on Aug 25, 2008 in Gleneden Beach, OR.
Obituary
LINCOLN CITY, Ore. (AP) – Former Portland Trail Blazers center Kevin Duckworth died while on a trip to the Oregon Coast to host a free basketball clinic. He was 44.
The Lincoln County sheriff's office confirmed the death. He died Monday.
The 7-foot Duckworth averaged 11.8 points and 5.8 rebounds over 11 seasons in the NBA, helping Portland reach the NBA finals in 1990 and 1992. The two-time All-Star also played for San Antonio, Washington, Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Clippers.
"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," Trail Blazers president Larry Miller said.
The Blazers said he was representing the team on a 19-city tour of Oregon.
Duckworth grew up in the Chicago area and was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs out of Eastern Illinois University in 1986.
The Spurs traded him that season to the Trail Blazers, where he had his greatest success, playing with Clyde Drexler, Terry Porter, Buck Williams and Jerome Kersey on two Western Conference championship teams.
Duckworth remained in the Portland area after he retired in 1997, doing woodwork, fishing and hunting. He ran a construction company in Northern California for a time, and a restaurant venture in Vancouver, Wash., with former NBA player Kermit Washington went out of business.
The cause of death was to be determined by a medical examiner.
Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press
I remember when I first saw Kevin Duckworth I said to myself lord how mercy your so tall Kevin would joke around a lot miss you Kevin
Earnice Taylor
February 17, 2024 | Hartford, KY | Friend
When I first saw Kevin duckworth was year of 1980 you will be missed so much
Earnice Taylor
February 17, 2024 | Hartford, KY | Friend
Big Duck we miss you and the family. All you guys are together now. I was so proud to see you make it big fellow. When you made it we all made it. We went to the NBA Finals twice. We got to play the Bulls with MJ. It doesn't get any better than that. I heard John Edwards has passed also
We will meet again my brother, love you dearly and deeply ❤ Your brother Ronnie Johnson
Ronald Johnson
March 14, 2023 | Alexander, AR | Friend
I met Kevin in Fossil,Oregon . Watched him write his # on the ceiling of the Shamrock-flat footed of course! What a humble,polite awesome man he was . I once said to him "so you got to play w/Clyde huh ; he replied yes. I said wow that is awesome . He responded with:I played my entire career with him which was really awesome ." R.IP. Big guy . you will never be forgotten.
DONNA yonce
February 08, 2022 | FOSSIL, OR | Acquaintance
Gg big cuz rip -_-
Edward duckworth
December 14, 2020 | Dallas, TX
GG big cuz
Zay Loko
December 14, 2020 | Fort Wayne, IN
Kevin, I am thinking of you this morning. I miss going to Jeddy's man cave and seeing you in the custom chair made just for you and big enough that I could sit and "play snuggle" with you for a moment. You became like a brother in our family and we loved you just as much. When you left, I met Maxine. You were your Mom's twin! I fell in love, again! Maxine became a regular visitor and we added her and her cousin, Paulette and Francine and Steve and "Tanky" to the family. Our family and some...
Lur Shamsud-Din
July 09, 2017
"Kevin was a manly man who manned the paint and dominated the league.....you will forever be missed Kevin"
Ethan Kimpel
March 02, 2017 | Westerville, OH
Amazing player!! Rest in peace
Renato Sotelo
April 02, 2016 | Santiago