Former Blazer Kevin Duckworth dies
12:33 PM PDT on Tuesday, August 26, 2008
By FRANK MUNGEAM, Kgw.com Staff

Former Portland Trail Blazers center Kevin Duckworth has died
Duckworth, 44, passed away Monday evening in Gleneden Beach, Oregon

Duckworth played for the Blazers between 1986 and 1993. He was part of the Blazers’ 1990 and 1992 Western Conference Championsihp teams, and was voted most improved player in 1988. He was named a Western Conference All-Star in 1989 and 1991.

“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 remained in the Portland area after his playing career ended. He was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman, and a skilled carpenter, and served as an ambassador for the Trail Blazers. Duckworth was at 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 was not immediately known.

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(I liked Duckworth. I liked the way he played ball, I appreciated what a team player he was, I thought he was a cool man. I interviewed him once for the newspaper and he was just a big sweetheart. After he left — along with Terry Porter, Danny Ainge, Clyde Drexler and all of my other favorites — the team changed so much. I couldn’t give them my support. I switched my allegiance to hockey. Of late, I’ve become a big fan of high school basketball, though, so maybe the Blazers will get my devotion again, someday. But I wouldn’t count on it.

This is very sad news — he was so young. My thoughts and love go out to Mr. Duckworth’s family.

wm)