Kevin Duckworth was a professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for ten seasons. He was born on April 1, 1964, in Harvey, Illinois, and grew up in Oregon. Duckworth attended Eastern Illinois University, where he played college basketball for four years.
Duckworth was selected by the San Antonio Spurs in the second round of the 1986 NBA draft, but he was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers before the start of the season. He played for the Trail Blazers for six seasons and was a key player on the team that reached the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992. Duckworth was known for his scoring ability and his physical presence on the court.
In 1993, Duckworth was traded to the Washington Bullets, where he played for one season before being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. He played for the Bucks for two seasons before being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. Duckworth played for the Clippers for one season before retiring from the NBA in 1997.
Throughout his career, Duckworth was a two-time NBA All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 1989. He averaged 11.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game over his career. Duckworth was also known for his charitable work off the court, including his involvement with the Special Olympics and his support of the Boys and Girls Club.
After retiring from the NBA, Duckworth remained involved in basketball as a coach and mentor. He worked as an assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers and also coached at the high school and college levels. Duckworth was known for his positive attitude and his dedication to helping young players develop their skills.
Tragically, Duckworth passed away on August 25, 2008, at the age of 44. He suffered a heart attack while on a business trip in Oregon. Duckworth's death was a shock to the basketball community, and he was remembered as a talented player and a kind-hearted person who made a positive impact on the lives of those around him.
🏀