Kevin Duckworth, a two-time NBA All-Star who spent the majority of his 12 NBA seasons as the Portland Trail Blazers’ center, has died. He was 44.
Duckworth died Monday in Kernville, Ore., near the coastal town of Lincoln City. His death was confirmed by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Duckworth was in town as part of a Trail Blazers group hosting a free kids basketball clinic, Fox 12 reported on its Web site.
The cause of his death was not released Tuesday morning.
The 7-foot Duckworth started at center when the Trail Blazers won Western Conference titles in 1990 and ’92. He played in the NBA All-Star Game in 1989 and ’91.
He spent 1986-93 with Portland and also played for Washington, Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Duckworth’s last season in the league, 1996-97, was spent with the Clippers. He played his college basketball at Eastern Illinois. A second-round draft pick of the San Antonio Spurs in 1986, Duckworth was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player in his second year in the league.
