PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Jerome Kersey, the small forward who played his first 11 NBA seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers and helped the San Antonio Spurs win the 1999 title, has died. He was 52.
The Trail Blazers confirmed Wednesday night that Kersey had died, but didn't provide details.
A team ambassador, Kersey appeared Tuesday with fellow former Blazers Terry Porter and Brian Grant at a Portland school in celebration of African American History Month.
Kersey averaged 10.3 points and 5.5 rebounds in 17 seasons in the NBA with Portland, Golden State, the Los Angeles Lakers, Seattle, San Antonio and Milwaukee. He helped the Blazers reach the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992.
The former Longwood University star had his best season in 1987-88, averaging 19.2 points and 8.3 rebounds.
Kersey retired from basketball in 2001. He was an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2004-05 under Porter.
