Longwood loses legend Jerome Kersey

When people discuss Longwood basketball, one name shines as a north star above the rest. Jerome Kersey was a two-time All-American who wrote the record books at Longwood as he set the all-time records for points (1,756), rebounds (1,162), made field goals (720), made free throws (316), free throw attempts (521), steals (255) and blocks (142) during his time at the college.

On Wednesday night, Longwood’s brightest star passed away from a blood clot which began in his calf and travelled to his lungs, clogging both his pulmonary arteries, according to oregonlive.com. Kersey was 52 and residing in Lake Oswego, Oregon as a Blazer Ambassador, a part-time community relations position with his former team.

"The news of Jerome Kersey's passing is devastating. Jerome was a genuinely warm-hearted and kind person, and he fully embraced his role as an ambassador for Longwood,” Longwood Director of Athletics Troy Austin told Longwood’s official athletics’ website. “He played bigger than his size on the hardwood and carried that passion into his everyday life. The Longwood community has truly lost a legend.”

Kersey is most known for his playing time with the Portland Trailblazers from 1984-95 where he started and helped the team make it to two NBA Championships. He was drafted with the 46 overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft by the Trailblazers.

NBA Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame player Clyde “The Glide” Drexler played beside Kersey during all 11 seasons he was with the team. He told Comcast SportsNet Northwest, “It is so sad. It is a huge loss for the Portland community. He was the greatest guy, the nicest friend, teammate and brother. He was loved by everyone. We will all miss him. He just cared so much. This is unbelievable.”

In 1987, Kersey competed in the All-Star Slam Dunk Contest where he outdunked all, but Slam Dunk Contest winner, Michael Jordan.

Kersey also played for five other teams throughout his 17-season NBA career, including a NBA Championship title run with the San Antonio Spurs in the 1998-99 season.

During Kersey’s NBA career he played in 1,153 games, scored 11,825 points (10.3 ppg), 6,339 rebounds (5.5 rpg) and 1,439 steals (1.2 spg). In Portland, Kersey made his mark as well, was second all-time in games played (831) and rebounds (5,078), then third for blocked shots (621) and steals (1,059) at the time of his retirement. He retired from the game he loved after the 2000-01 season.

Although Kersey played at Longwood from 1981-84, he didn’t obtain his degree until 2006 after playing in the NBA because he still needed two course credits to earn it.

“Jerome embodied the ideal of the citizen-leadership at the heart of Longwood's mission. His athletic accomplishments are well noted, but what made him special was his commitment to serving his community,” Longwood President W. Taylor Reveley IV told Longwood’s official athletic’s website. “He devoted his life to serving those around him until the very day of his passing. We are proud to have called him a Lancer.”

Kersey was one of the first members of the Longwood Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the inaugural 2005 class. Along with being a member of the Longwood Athletics Hall of Fame, Kersey’s jersey number 54 is retired in Willett Hall. He’s also earned a spot in the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in April 2008, and in the Portland Sports Hall of Fame shortly after in September 2008.

In 2015, Kersey was recognized by Longwood as an alumni who has achieved success and national distinction in both his personal and professional life, embodying the concept of citizen leadership as he was awarded the William Henry Ruffner Alumni Award.

Kersey is survived by his daughter Kiara, his wife Teri and her children McKenzie, Brendan and Maddie.

“Today we lost an incredible person and one of the most beloved players to ever wear a Trail Blazers uniform,” Portland Trailblazers owner Paul Allen told oregonlive.com. “My thoughts and condolences are with the Kersey family. He will be missed by all of us. It's a terrible loss.”